is a Japanese professional football manager and player who plays as a midfielder for Singapore Premier League side Jurong. A versatile player, Honda can also play as a winger, a false nine or a deep-lying playmaker.
Honda earned over 90 international caps between 2008 and 2018, playing at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups. He was also part of the squad which won the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, where he was voted Player of the Tournament. Honda holds the record becoming the first professional player to score a goal on six separate continents (Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America). He holds another record of becoming the first ever Asian player to have scored against a nation of every continent after scoring against Senegal in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Club career Early career
Born and raised in Settsu, Honda had belonged to the local junior youth team at Gamba Osaka, but was not promoted to the youth team. When Honda was a Seiryo High School student, he made an appearance at J.League Cup as Special Designated Youth Player in 2004. After graduating high school, he began his professional career in 2005, with J1 League side Nagoya Grampus Eight.
On 16 January 2008, Honda signed a two and half-year deal with Eredivisie side VVV-Venlo. In his first six months at VVV, he experienced relegation for the first time in his professional career as his new side went down to Eerste Divisie, the second division. In the 2008–09 season, he scored 16 goals in 36 league appearances to help the team back into the Eredivisie. He became known as Keizer Keisuke (meaning Emperor Keisuke) among the club's fans. Also, Honda introduced his agent, Tetsuro Kiyooka, to Maya Yoshida in 2008 and led him to VVV-Venlo two years later.Venlo chief eyes new Japanese talent , The Japan Times, 3 April 2014
CSKA Moscow
At the end of December 2009, Honda transferred to Russian club CSKA Moscow. Honda signed a 4-year contract. The transfer fee was undisclosed, but VVV-Venlo was said to be very content with the fee as it almost matched their asking price; it is believed to be in the region of €6 million. Honda made his debut for CSKA in the UEFA Champions League match against Sevilla. In the second leg in Seville, he scored the winning goal through a direct free kick for CSKA after having set up the first goal for Tomáš Necid. This secured a 2–1 (3–2 aggregate) victory to send the club to the quarterfinals, making Honda the first Japanese player to be in the quarter-finals as well as the first to
score in the knock-out stages. Honda scored his first league goal on 12 March 2010, in the home match against Amkar Perm. He scored the goal in the third minute of injury time, slotting home a pass from Necid with his left. With the goal, he secured the win for CSKA Moscow.
Honda picked up his first piece of silverware with CSKA on 22 May 2011, coming on as a second-half substitute for Alan Dzagoev in a 2–1 defeat of Alania Vladikavkaz in the Russian Cup final. He netted two goals in the first half of CSKA's match against Krylia Sovetov three days later, a match that ended in a 3–0 victory for his side. On 16 September 2012, Honda scored twice off passes from Ahmed Musa, scoring the only goals in a league victory over Alania.
On 13 July 2013, Honda scored CSKA's first and third goals in the club's 3–0 victory over Zenit in the Russian Super Cup match in Rostov. In 2013 summer transfer window, he entered the final six months of his contract with CSKA and became free to talk to other clubs, expressing his interest in moving to a bigger club. On 11 December 2013, CSKA announced the conclusion of Honda's time at the club.
AC Milan
2013–14 season On 27 October 2013, AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri announced a deal for Honda to join Milan on a free transfer in January 2014. Honda officially joined the team on 4 January 2014 on a contract lasting until June 2017 and wore the number 10 jersey.
On 12 January 2014, Honda made his debut coming on as a substitute for Robinho in a 4–3 Serie A defeat to Sassuolo. On 15 January, Honda made his full debut for Milan, scoring in the 3–1 Coppa Italia quarter-final win against Spezia. On 26 January, Honda assisted Giampaolo Pazzini in the 89th minute to secure a 2–1 win over Cagliari. On 7 April, he scored his first Serie A goal in against Genoa in a 1–2 away win. Honda's contribution for Milan in the latter half of the 2013–14 season was considered disappointing, and he himself stated that "this is not me".
2014–15 season On 31 August 2014, Honda scored for Milan against Lazio, netting the club's first goal of the season as the Rossoneri won 3–1 in Filippo Inzaghi's Serie A debut as manager. Honda went on to score Milan's second goal against Parma on 14 September, helping Milan to win a nine-goal thriller, 5–4. Honda provided an assist for Giacomo Bonaventura's opening goal and scored a bullet header to restore Milan's lead, from Ignazio Abate's cross. In Milan's next match against Empoli on 23 September, Honda drilled in a shot on the edge of the box equalizing for Milan as the sides drew 2–2. Honda scored with a precise free kick over the Chievo wall in a 2–0 win on 4 October. Honda scored his first brace playing for Milan in a 3–1 away win against Verona on 19 October. He assisted twice which saw Milan winning 2–1 against AS Roma on 9 May 2015.
2015–16 season During the 2015–16 Coppa Italia third round fixture against Perugia on 17 August 2015, Honda scored and assisted Luiz Adriano in a 2–0 win. He also assisted Carlos Bacca in the round of 16 tie against Sampdoria which secured a 2–0 win on 17 December. Honda went on to have a good record in the Coppa Italia guiding his team all the way to the final.
2016–17 season On 21 May 2017, Honda scored from a free kick against Bologna winning the game and thus qualifying Milan to the UEFA Europa League for the first time since the 2013–14 season.
Pachuca On 14 July 2017, Mexican club Pachuca announced the signing of Honda. On 23 August 2017, Honda scored on his debut in a 4–1 win over Veracruz. On 26 October, he scored a brace in a 5–0 thrashing win over Zacatepec in the 2017 Copa MX round of 16 tie. Honda played in the 2017 Copa MX final against Monterrey on 22 December. Honda played in the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup helping his team to finish in third place.
On 21 January 2018, Honda assisted twice in a 3–1 win over Lobos BUAP. On 12 February, he assisted Érick Gutiérrez to score the only goal to secure a win against Veracruz. Honda than rescued Pachuca by scoring a penalty in the stoppage time against León in a 2–1 win on 25 February. Honda later scored a brace in a 6–2 thrashing win over Puebla on 7 April. In the next match against Santos Laguna on 15 April, he scored and assist in a 3–1 win. He ended the season with 13 goals and 8 assists in 36 appearances across all competition for the club.
Melbourne Victory
On 6 August 2018, Honda signed for Australian A-League side Melbourne Victory. He scored on his A-League debut, in Victory's opening game of the 2018–19 A-League, a 2–1 loss to Melbourne City in the Melbourne Derby. On 25 November, he scored the winning goal in a 2–1 win over Sydney FC. Honda later rescued his club scoring an equaliser in a 1–1 draw to Wellington Phoenix on 15 February 2019. He make his AFC Champions League debut on 5 March in a 1–3 lost to Korean club Daegu FC. In the next match, he captained his club against Japanese club Sanfrecce Hiroshima where he scored in a 2–1 lost on 12 March.On 3 May 2019, Honda announced that he would leave the club at the end of the 2018–19 A-League season, also stating that he would not sign with an A-League team following his departure which saw him scoring 8 goals and 7 assists in 24 appearances for the club across all competition. Vitesse In the succeeding September, Honda publicly offered, on Twitter, to play for Manchester United and AC Milan. On 6 November 2019, he signed a contract for one season at Eredivisie club Vitesse Arnhem. However, after Leonid Slutsky's departure, Honda decided to also leave Vitesse after only four league appearances.
Botafogo On 31 January 2020, Honda signed with Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side Botafogo where he was named as the club captain. On 15 March, he made his debut and scored his first goal, opening the score from a penalty kick in a 1–1 draw against Bangu in the Campeonato Carioca. Honda goal recognised him for being the first player to score on five different continents in which he scored in. On 11 October, he scored a goal in a 2–1 win over Sport Recife in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. However, Honda left the club on 28 December, three months shy of the end of his contract, stating his frustration with the lack of results and the decisions by the club's board, which had changed head coaches four times during the season, while also thanking and apologising to the fans. He made 27 appearances across all competitions and scored three goals.
Portimonense On 4 February 2021, Honda announced that he had reached an agreement with Primeira Liga club Portimonense. The signing was officially confirmed two days later, with Honda joining the Portuguese side on a six-month deal with the option for a one-year extension. The deal, however, broke down after Portmonense was unable to register him in the league, as a LPFP ruling required free agent players to be at least three months in that status in order to be registered outside of the transfer window period; Honda had spent less than two months out of contract. He parted ways with the club amicably on 11 February.
Neftçi On 15 March 2021, Honda joined Azerbaijan Premier League club Neftçi PFK on a deal until the end of the season. He scored his first goal for the club on 3 May in a 3–0 win over Keshla. Honda then scored in the next match on 8 May in a 4–0 win over Sabail. At the end of the season, Honda won 2020–21 Azerbaijan Premier League title with Neftçi. On 16 June 2021, Neftçi confirmed that Honda had left the club after the expiration of his contract, during which he scored twice in seven games for the club.
Sūduva On 14 September 2021, Honda joined Lithuanian A Lyga club Sūduva for the remaining 2021 season until 31 December 2021. He scored on his official debut for the club on 26 September in a 4–0 win over Banga Gargždai.
Paro Following a two-and-a-half-year break and taking on managerial duties, Bhutan Premier League side Paro announced Honda's return to professional football on 29 July 2024. He initially joined Paro on a one-match contract to play in the AFC Challenge League qualfying play-off against Church Boys United but ended up playing in the Bhutan Premier League against Tsirang in a 2–1 win on 8 August. He later captain the side in the AFC Challenge League qualfying play-off helping his team to a 2–1 win victory which saw his team qualified to the group stage campaign.
FC Jurong
On 10 April 2026, Singapore Premier League club FC Jurong announced that Honda will be joining the club for the upcoming 2026–27 season.
International career Youth career and early senior career Honda was a member of the Japan team for 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship and played for the U-23 national team, that qualified for 2008 Summer Olympics finals. He made a full international debut for Japan on 22 June 2008 in a World Cup qualifier against Bahrain. On 14 July 2008, he was formally named as one of the midfielders of the Japanese U-23 national football team for the Beijing Olympics football competition. He scored his first goal for the senior national team on 27 May 2009 in a friendly match against Chile at Nagai Stadium in Osaka and has since been given the nickname "Emperor Keisuke". He has scored 37 goals in 98 games for the Japan national team from his debut in 2008, onwards.
2010 FIFA World Cup