KASHIMA, Japan, June 03 (AFP): Zico, who was instrumental in Japan's development as a football nation, has warned that players are moving to Europe too young and cites his native Brazil as a cautionary tale.
The midfield legend ended his playing career in Japan after helping to launch the professional J. League in 1993 and he also coached the country's national team from 2002 to 2006.
He maintains a connection to Japan as an adviser to Kashima Antlers, the club he helped build into the country's most successful and where he has served as a player, coach and technical director for the past 30 years.
During that time, Zico has seen Japan grow from football backwater to regular World Cup participant, with players thriving at some of Europe's biggest clubs.
The 72-year-old says Japanese players looking beyond the J. League is a "positive" development -- as long as they move at the right time.
He draws similarities with Brazil, where he says some players leave for Europe after only a handful of games in the domestic league.
"Brazilian players go to Europe too soon, losing their Brazilian roots. If a player isn't resilient, they come back because they haven't achieved their full potential there," Zico told AFP in Kashima.
"They leave very early, they don't play and that's happened in Germany, it's happened in Italy, it's happened in many places.
"That's what's happening to many Japanese players -- they go there too early, lack confidence and then they come back."
Zico says the trend is still overwhelmingly beneficial for Japan.
Zico warns Japan players not to follow Brazilians into transfer trap
FE Team | Published: June 04, 2025 01:10:24
Zico warns Japan players not to follow Brazilians into transfer trap
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