INAC Kobe Leonessa (INAC神戸レオネッサ, Ainakku-Kōbe Reonessa) is a professional Japanese women's football club from Kobe, founded in 2001.CLUB DATA INAC stands for International Athletic Club, while Leonessa means Lioness in Italian.
In 2006 INAC Leonessa was promoted to the Nadeshiko.League, where it has played since 2020. In 2021 they are playing in WE League. The 2008 season marked a great leap for the team as it was the runner-up both in the Nadeshiko.League and the All Japan Women's Football Championship. 2010 saw INAC lift its first title as they beat Urawa Red Diamonds in the final of the All Japan Women's Football Championship through a penalty shootout, and in 2011, coinciding with the club's 10th anniversary, the team won the double Nadeshiko.League – All Japan Women's Football Championship.
Leonessa's 2011 squad included seven champions of the 2011 World Cup: Ayumi Kaihori, Yukari Kinga, Nahomi Kawasumi, Shinobu Ohno, Homare Sawa, Megumi Takase and Asuna Tanaka.
Kits Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor (chest) Shirt sponsor (sleeve) 2021–2022Hummel InternationalEarth 2022–2023 Art Moving
Mascot
Raimu-chan
Born September 3. Modeled after the lioness from which the team got its name. Her favorite foods are Yakiniku and Japanese-style rolled omelette.
Players Current squad
Club staff Position NameManager Jordi FerrónAssistant Manager Eri Higashi Ryota ShimizuGoalkeeper Coach Riki TakashiFitness Coach Masao TateishiTeam Doctor Ryosuke Kuroda Takehiko Matsushita Yoshiyuki Okada Koji Sofuyu Hide Watanabe Wado Kitayama Shosuke Nagata Rika Shigemoto
Honours Domestic WE League Champions (2): 2021–22, 2025–26 Runners-up (3): 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25 Nadeshiko.League Division 1 Champions (3): 2011, 2012, 2013 Runners-up (5): 2008, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020 Empress's Cup Champions (6): 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2023 Runners-up (4): 2008, 2018, 2022, 2025 WE League Cup Runners-up (1): 2024–25 Nadeshiko League Cup Champions (1): 2013 Runners-up (3): 2012, 2018, 2019
International Japan/Korea Women's League Championship Champions (1): 2012 International Women's Club Championship Champions (1): 2013 Runners-up (1): 2012
Season-by-season records
+ Seasons of INAC Kobe LeonessaSeasonDomestic LeagueEmpress's CupNadeshiko League Cup/ WE League CupLeagueLevelPositionTms.Nadeshiko League Division 1Nadeshiko League Division 12021–22WE League2022–23
Continental record SeasonCompetitionRoundOpponentScoreResult 2026–27 AFC Women's Champions League Group A Bam Khatoon Ayeyawady Naegohyang
Transition of team name INAC Leonessa: 2001–2008 INAC Kobe Leonessa: 2009–present
See also Japan Football Association (JFA) List of women's football clubs in Japan
References
External links Official website