Japan national team midfielder Takefusa Kubo occupies the seventh spot in the latest estimated salary rankings for Japanese and Korean footballers playing across Europe’s top leagues, pulling in an estimated 5.42 million euros—roughly 9.5億円—annually at Spanish club Real Sociedad.
Real Sociedad Contract Details and Current Salary Figures
Capology figures place Kubo’s annual wages at 5.42 million euros, anchoring him on a long-term deal at the San Sebastián club that runs through June 2029. Reports indicate his current contract includes a release clause set at 60 million euros.
Those financial terms reflect his standing following a standout 2022/23 campaign in La Liga, where he contributed nine goals and seven assists. That output drove his Transfermarkt market valuation to a peak of 60 million euros—approximately 105億円—in December 2023.
Market Valuation Drop and Injury Disruptions
His valuation has since fallen to 20 million euros, or roughly 37億円, following a string of fitness setbacks and shifting momentum. A left hamstring injury sustained last January limited him to two goals and four assists across 24 league appearances during the subsequent campaign.
Takefusa Kubo: 2025/26 Season Report in LaLiga for Real Sociedad pic.twitter.com/k8RiKKC37j
The physical difficulties carried over to the international stage. During the opening fixture against the Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup, Kubo suffered another injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the tournament, leaving his tournament campaign cut short.
Reduced Playing Time in La Liga and Europe
Managerial choices and squad competition have reduced his pitch time at the start of the current domestic season. Through the first eight matchdays of the La Liga season, Kubo has featured in five matches with three starts, accumulating 223 minutes of playing time without registering a goal or an assist.
After a substitute appearance in a 3-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid on September 13, he was left on the bench for consecutive fixtures against Valencia and Deportivo, which ended in a 3-2 victory. His appearances in the UEFA Europa League have likewise been limited to a pair of substitute outings.
International Duty and Future Checkpoints
Despite his reduced role at club level, Kubo retained his place in the starting lineup for the Japan national team, featuring as a central attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 formation during the Kirin Cup final against New Zealand on October 5.
Reclaiming regular minutes under manager Imanol Alguacil at Real Sociedad remains a pressing objective as preparations continue for the Asian Cup, scheduled to kick off in January 2027.
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