Kubo: I signed for Real Madrid because they had a plan for my future Real Madrid Japanese prodigy spoke to MARCA

Real Madrid summer signing Takefusa Kubo has stated that he joined Los Blancos because they convinced him with their plan to help him reach his potential.

The Japanese forward, who moved to Real Mallorca on a loan towards the end of the transfer window, spent three seasons at Barcelona's famed La Masia academy before returning to Japan in 2015.

In an interview with MARCA, Kubo revealed which player is his idol and discussed the pressure placed on him at the age of 18.

How do you prefer to be called, Take or Takefusa?

Take, it's shorter and easier.

At the age of 10 you signed for Barcelona after standing out at the Barcelona Football Camp, a camp held in Japan. In 2011, in your first season with Barcelona's Alevin [Under-11] C, you scored 73 goals in 30 games and they began calling you the Japanese Lionel Messi for your ability to dribble the ball stuck to your left foot and go past rivals. What did you think when I heard that nickname?

There are still journalists who call me that. It's an honour to be compared to a player as great as Messi, but I still have a lot to do in order to be like him someday.

Do you know him?

Not in person, although when I was young I asked him for autographs at La Masia.

In those three seasons you played at Barcelona, you coincided with Ansu Fati. What do you remember about him?

Yes, we played together, also with Eric [Garcia] and others. I gave him passes and he scored.

And what do you think when you see him playing in Barcelona's senior side?

It is very good that a youth player is playing in the first team, either Ansu or [Carles] Alena. It's very good for the club, isn't it?

During your years in Japan, you got used to playing against boys who were one or two higher age categories higher (aged 14-15 against opponents aged 18), is that right?

It depends on the year. The first year [2015] I played against those who were one year older, and the second year I already played with the youth team [under-18s], despite being younger.

You were the second youngest player to debut in the Japanese League aged 15 years, 10 months and 30 days - are you an idol in Japan? Do they recognise you on the street?

I still don't notice it because I am almost never in Japan, but when I return next year I will check.

But when you go with the national team you will have noticed that you raise more expectations.

Yes, when I go with the national team I notice that people say my name more and that they love me.

Last season you played with Yokohama F. Marinos in the J1 League against Andres Iniesta and his Vissel Kobe, and you scored a great goal. Was that game special?

Yes. For the Japanese League it is very good that players with as much talent and worldwide fame as Iniesta go there. That attracts more players and more fans. And it is also good for those who play with him because you notice his level in training and games.

You signed for Real Madrid in June. How did you experience that?

When the signing became official, I was at the Copa America in Brazil with the national team.

You were followed by other great teams such as Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. Why did you decide Real Madrid?

I really liked Real Madrid's goal in a sporting sense, the plan they had for me for the next few years, and what they thought about me for the future.

Was that the main reason? It was surprising that having spent several years playing Barcelona's youth teams, you signed for Real Madrid.

Yes, Real Madrid were clear that they wanted to sign me. They showed me the plan they had for my career and I really liked it; that convinced me.

Is it true that there was some confusion amongst the other interested teams about the date your contract came to an end and Real Madrid took advantage and went ahead?

No, not as far as I know.

And is it true that you put as a condition to sign that from the second or third season you had to be part of the senior side of the team that wanted you, be it Real Madrid or Barcelona?

No, that's not it in any contract. It is normal and common, [but] everything depends on the player, in this case me.

Did you decide to leave on loan and go to Real Mallorca instead of staying at Real Madrid Castilla?

In the end the decision is always made by the player, but first my agent and I talked to the club and decided it was for the best.

And do you notice that the expectations have grown around you since signing for Real Madrid? How did you live the impact it had?

Yes, of course. For example, on Instagram I got a lot of followers after the news of my signing emerged.

How many did you have?

I don't remember the figure, but they multiplied a lot, by ten, by twenty... A lot.

And what did your friends say when you signed for Real Madrid?

Typically, they encouraged me, wished me good luck and promised that someday they would come to see me.

Do you keep friends from your time at Barcelona?

Man, yes, just as I have friends from my spells at [FC] Tokyo or Marinos. I have many friends.

How was that change? In 2014, FIFA sanctioned Barcelona for failing to comply with article 19 of the regulation on the status and transfer of players (between 2009 and 2013). There were 10 affected boys who lived at La Masia and Take was one of them, so he had to return with his family to Japan. How did you find that?

For a 13-year-old boy it is very hard as you want to play football and you don't know why they've kicked you out of the country. In fact, I still don't know why it happened. If a child wants to play football at a good club, I don't see the reason why he can't do it - why not let him?

Are there a lot Real Madrid supporters in Japan?

Yes, but not only in Japan; all over the world. I could see it this summer on the tour. Wherever you go, in any country, there are a lot of fans with the white shirt.

Did you watch LaLiga matches when you lived in Japan?

Yes, as I also saw matches of the Premier League, Bundesliga, Ligue 1...

Did you watch Real Madrid vs Barcelona?

Man, I always watched those [games].

In the official statement announcing your signing on June 14, Madrid described you as "one of the most promising young players in world football." What did you think when reading that about yourself?

I don't want to think they are exaggerating, so I think I have to give a lot.

And so many expectations don't put a lot of pressure on an 18-year-old kid?

Such pressure is good for demanding more [of oneself].

Are you very demanding of himself, Take?

Well, a demanding player doesn't say he is demanding, so I won't say it [laughs].

What was it like doing the preseason at Real Madrid?

A very good experience, although the flights were very long and the calendar was very condensed.

Who is the player that surprised you the most?

I already knew that everyone was good because they are world-class players. Isco joined a little late and I was very surprised by the skills and quality he has.

Speaking of surprise, Real Madrid's fans were taken aback by the self-confidence you showed in the preseason friendlies, like against Bayern Munich. There was nothing self-conscious about playing surrounded by so many stars.

If you are a Real Madrid footballer and you have the opportunity to play against a team like Bayern, that is one more motivation, and maybe that's why I played a little better than usual.

Against Tottenham Hotspur you played eight minutes and had three shots on target. You can't stop, can you?

I needed to do something in the short time I played, so I went looking for a goal.

Zinedine Zidane said of you after that game that "Kubo is a player for the future and is young, like Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junor. They have to go slowly." Do you get it?

Yes. In addition, at a club like Real Madrid, it is not like at another club. All [of those] who are playing are internationals and worldwide famous football players. That a coach like Zidane takes care of me and says my name in an interview is good.

Did Zidane talk to you during the preseason?

Yes, Zidane is a very good coach; he pays attention to each of the players. He's very good, that's why he's back.

Is what you told Eden Hazard true about putting on his videos before games or were you kidding?

Yes, really. For example, before the Copa America matches with Japan, I put on videos of Hazard.

What did you think of Hazard when you trained with him?

I already knew he was very good but seeing it in person moved me a little.

Why did you decide to go to Real Mallorca on loan? Did Madrid propose them, or did you choose? There was much talk about Real Valladolid.

The atmosphere of the club, the players, the coach [Vicente Moreno]. Real Madrid, my agent and I decided that Mallorca were the best option.

Had you been to Mallorca before?

I had been here on holiday.

What is the main difference between the Spanish League and the Japanese League? Technique, physique, speed, tactics?

The intensity, it's more the intensity rather than the rhythm. There are many more ups and downs [in a game] here; the Japanese League is much calmer.

And what style suits you more, the movement in LaLiga or the calmness of the Japanese league?

I was adapting to the Japanese League and now I have a bit of adapting to do in the Spanish league, but it suits me because adaptation to different leagues makes me improve.

What can Kubo bring to Mallorca?

Although newly promoted, they are a club with a lot of history. I remember that Mallorca were always in the first division. I think that I can more than contribute to Mallorca; Mallorca can help me grow. But I will try to help the team a lot, of course.

Do you understand that your coach, Vicente Moreno, is doing his all to protect you?

Yes, he tells me to go slowly and so on. I still have things to learn from tactics, but little by little I will get used to it.

Do you notice that there are many expectations placed on you, that you are the most known signing?

Well, I think so because in the games I go to the bench and see that all the cameras are focusing on me...

And how is it?

I don't like it that much, but things are like that and you have to put up with it.

It's up to you to do interviews like this...

Yes [laughs].

What is your take on the six games (322 minutes) that you have played so far? You have started three times but have played in all games except the first, being a newcomer.

I am not satisfied at all because I think I can do more. But I'm starting and I think it's very good. What is essential is to keep going.

Is there a lot of competition to settle as a starter with Salva Sevilla or Aleix Febas?

Yes, there is a lot of competition in training here.

Are such long trips with the national team during the two international breaks an extra difficulty for your adaptation to the team? They mean less training sessions.

Yes, although I train with Japan. But not being able to train with the team is a disadvantage.

What do you think when you travel to Japan to play against Mongolia or Tajikistan and only play four minutes? Isn't it a bit frustrating?

Yes, a little, but that's how it is now. If I was better, I would play more, right? But I am OK with it.

Are you in a hurry to succeed and reach the elite or do you understand that you are 18 you have time to take a big leap forward?

I am in hurry, but I also understand that I have to go little by little.

Is Saturday's match at Son Moix against Real Madrid very special?

Even if I was not on loan from Real Madrid, playing against them would still be very important. I think I have to prove the reason I came to Mallorca instead of staying at [Real Madrid] Castilla.

Do you have more motivation against big teams? You have already played against Atletico Madrid and stood out...

If I have the possibility to play against those teams, I have to be at my best.

How do you see Real Madrid, the leader in LaLiga Santander but with lots of doubts in the Champions League?

When a team play in two competitions each week it is more difficult to compare them with other teams. They are very good in LaLiga, it's tough for them in the Champions League [having picked up one point from a possible six so far] but a team like Madrid will overcome it.

When Real Madrid won three Champions League in a row, what did you think seeing them from Japan? Did it influence your decision to sign for them later?

That didn't influence [my decision], but when the Club World Cup was played in Japan three seasons ago, I went to the stadium to see them.

And three years after watching them from the stands, you were a part of the preseason squad.

It must be difficult to stay hungry when you win a Champions League, so it is amazing that they won three Champions Leagues in a row.

What is your main strength on the pitch?

I like to receive [the ball] between the lines, where there are many opponents. I attract the opposition players and from there I try to take advantage.

Where do you prefer to play?

[Playing] as a playmaker is what I like more, but I can adapt well on the wing.

And the aspect where you have more room for improvement?

I am improving my speed. Nowadays only a player with a lot of speed can reach the top, and if on top of that you already have quality then it is something else.

You certainly have quality, judging by the videos with your plays that circulate on YouTube and social networks.

I think I'm still missing a lot, but I'm happy with what I have now.

I have read that your father is the person who has taught you the most about football.

Yes, he and my mother have always helped me a lot. Ninety percent of what I am now is thanks to them. Family always comes first.

What advice does he give you?

As a person and as a footballer. He likes to watch my games and tells me when I've done it well, but when I do it wrong, he also tells me the things I don't want to hear.

What has been your main idol in football?

It has always been [Lionel] Messi. I don't know how old he is now, but it's amazing that he keeps scoring so many goals.

Who would like to meet from the world of football?

I would like to play against [Paul] Pogba and talk to him. I've never seen him play live.

And the young player (18-20 years old) that you like most?

Man, [Kylian] Mbappe, by far. He is the best.

Your favourite ground?

It's Son Moix, no?

And one that you are excited to see?

The Allianz Arena. Or have I played there already? I don't remember now.