Daigo Nishi


Daigo Nishi is a Japanese footballer who currently plays for Vissel Kobe in the J1 League.

Club career

Youth period

He played as a regular member in U-15, U-18 Consadole Sapporo. In U-15 team, he played as forward with Mike Havenaar, and in U-18 team played as offensive- and defensive-midfielder. In 2005, the team participated in the All Japan youth championship and he contributed to the runners-up.

Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo

In 2006, he started his professional career in Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo with Seiya Fujita, but at the beginning, he had few chances to play in the matches. In 2007, he went to Brasil to join in the training in EC Viroria with Shunsuke Iwanuma. He went there on 30 September and the contract would coutinue until December, but due to many injured players in Consadole, he was brought back to Sapporo on 24 October. On 27 October, he played in J league match against Ehime FC from in the middle and scored the primary goal as a professional in the additional time, which resulted in the winning of the team. In 2008, he marked 3 goals in total, all of them were scored in the additional time, including the winning goal against Kashiwa Reysol on 30 March. He changed his position from right wing-half to right wing-back in 2009 and participated in 42 matches and scored 7 goals.

Albirex Niigata

He transferred to Albirex Niigata on loan in 2010. At the beginning, he was a substitute member for midfielder, but afterward played 29 matches regularly as a right-back and marked 1 goal.

Kashima Antlers

In 2011, he transferred to Kashima Antlers on a permanent deal and changed his position to defender.
In 2004, he took part in the training of CS Maritimo, Portuguese club. His direct volley goal marked on 2 August against Sanfrecce Hiroshima was chosen for the best goal award 2014 of J league.
He was assigned to be a head of players association of the team for 2 years, from 2015 to 2016.

International career

National Team

On 6 December 2010, he was selected for back-up members of AFC Asian Cup 2011.
In KIRIN Cup against Peru on 1 June 2011, he played for the national team for the first time.
On 1 October 2014, he was elected for the national team by the head coach Javier Aguirre.
On 26 March 2019, Nishi played his first match since 2011 for Japan against Bolivia.

FIFA Club World Cup 2016

He participated in FIFA Club World Cup 2016. He played the final against Real Madrid C.F. for full-time.
He is the first player in the world who was judged by VAR at the semi-final against Atletico Nacional.

Style of play

He is leader in team defense often coordinating the other defenders even from right wing. He is also known as good playmaker as his # of passes are often top in the team, building up games from right wing. Because of his experience as mid-fielder, his technical skills enable pass exchange even in narrow space and providing decisive pass. Having been improving defense skills, accurate cross, physical strength and ability to concentrate, he have become one of the top level players in both offence and defense.

Out of the pitch

When he was an elementary school student, he appeared on TV program "1×8 Ikoyo" as a kids master of lifting. His sister, Sakurako Nishi belonged to the cheerleading team of Consadole Sapporo.

Club statistics

Updated to 19 February 2019.
1Includes Japanese Super Cup, J. League Championship, Suruga Bank Championship and FIFA Club World Cup.

National team statistics

Honours

Kashima Antlers
Vissel Kobe
Individual