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After nearly 700 games, including over 300 appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt, Makoto Hasebe will call time on his impressive playing career at the end of the 2023/24 season.
The Japanese veteran moved to Frankfurt in summer 2014, where he’s helped the Eagles not only win the DFB Cup and UEFA Europa League but also reach the UEFA Champions League.
Born in Fujieda on 18 January 1984, Hasebe left his home country for the Bundesliga during the 2007/08 winter transfer window. Having made over 215 appearances in all competitions and won numerous titles with the Urawa Red Diamonds – including the domestic league in 2006, the AFC Champions League in 2007 and the domestic cup in 2005 and 2006 – Hasebe signed for VfL Wolfsburg. He made his German top-flight debut on 2 February 2008 before helping Wolfsburg win the Bundesliga title the following campaign.
Hasebe has gone on to make over 380 outings in Germany’s top division, leaving the now 40-year-old behind only Claudio Pizarro and Robert Lewandowski in the list of non-German players with the most appearances in the league (383 appearances as of 17 April). He is also part of the German Football League’s Bundesliga Legends Network.
After five and a half years with the Wolves, Hasebe joined 1. FC Nürnberg for the start of the 2013/14 campaign before signing for Eintracht 12 months later. The Bundesliga’s record Asian appearance holder made his Eagles debut in the DFB Cup first round against BFC Viktoria 98 on 14 August 2014, with his first goal coming in a 2-1 win against relegation rivals Darmstadt 98 nearly two years later, on 30 April 2016. The versatile defender would go on to reach three DFB Cup finals with the club as well as the final of the UEFA Europa League in 2022.
Asia’s 2018 International Player of the Year played the whole 90 minutes in the 2018 showpiece against FC Bayern Munich at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. When Eintracht beat Rangers in the Europa League final in Seville four years later, Hasebe entered the fray in the 57th minute. Now the oldest player to appear for the club, Hasebe has played 303 competitive games – or 24,606 minutes – for the Eagles to date and has represented Eintracht in all three major European club competitions.
At international level, Hasebe played at three World Cups with Japan and won the Asian Cup in 2011. He made 114 appearances for the Samurai Blue after making his debut under Brazilian head coach Zico on 11 February 2006.
After hanging up his boots, Hasebe is set to stay at Eintracht to take on a coaching role within the club.
Hasebe said: “After 22 years as a professional footballer, it’s now time for me to bring my playing career to an end. I’ve given this decision a lot of thought and think now’s the right time to do so. I look back with pride on everything I’ve experienced and achieved over the years. My time in Frankfurt in particular featured numerous unforgettable moments that will stay with me forever. I’ve felt happy here from day one and Frankfurt has become my second home. Announcing my decision now gives both me and the club time to plan for the future. In the coming weeks, all my focus will be on the final games of the season. We still have a big goal that we want to achieve together. I’m looking forward to my new role at Eintracht from the summer.”
Eintracht board member for sport Markus Krösche: “Makoto can look back on a career as a model professional. He’s always been a great role model for a lot of players. His professional attitude and lifestyle have enabled him to still play football at a high level at the age of 40. His decision to end his playing career after this season deserves respect. Makoto has achieved great things for Eintracht Frankfurt. We’re delighted he’s staying at our club to pass on his many years of experience to our younger players.”
