Skillfully manipulating the ball at his feet, he confuses the opposing defenders with his passes and dribbling.When the ball is passed to him, the stadium erupts.Such creative play has been the hallmark of player Haruya Ide until now.However, since joining Vissel Kobe, his proactive defense and long-distance running have become more noticeable.A vibrant technique was accompanied by a dedicated attitude.What kind of thoughts were behind the changes and growth of such play styles?

——​​Since joining Vissel Kobe in 2023, how do you feel you have grown?

This is the approach to Soccer.Until now, I had been pursuing soccer that I found interesting and enjoyable to play, but since coming to Vissel Kobe, I have become more focused on victory.Here, players representing Japan and those playing in overseas clubs, as well as the veterans and young players who will carry the team forward, put in hard work every day from their training.Seeing such a situation, I also started to focus on winning from the practice stage.The result of those efforts was manifested last year when we won the J.LEAGUE, which taught us the importance of such hard work.

—— What specifically did you learn?

For instance, even under harsh conditions when players of Vissel Kobe can’t move their bodies and can’t think straight after 40 minutes into the second half, their determination to win is incredibly strong, as evidenced by their ability to come out on top in contests or snatch a point.Even regular and representative class players collide fiercely during regular practice, and they stay behind after the overall practice to engage in individual training.That’s why I believe I can become the top in Japan.

——​It is the reason for Vissel Kobe’s strength.

That’s right.In turn, the level of play demanded from teammates is also exceptionally high, and if you can’t compete at that level, you won’t be able to participate in matches.I feel that being in such a rigorous environment really allows me to grow as a soccer player.

—​Was there any change in your playstyle?

Originally, I was playing to create an offensive rhythm with passes and dribbles, but not just that, I think I started to move harder, such as running firmly to receive the ball, actively going on defense, and putting pressure on the opponent. In the midst of high-level players, he changed himself in order to make his presence known.In modern soccer, it is difficult to compete solely with technique.In order to participate in the match here, hard work has become indispensable.

—— What do you think is necessary for Vissel Kobe to become even stronger as a team?

I believe it’s more important to consistently demonstrate what we’ve built up so far, rather than making major changes to tactics or styles.Vissel Kobe is a team that values each and every game in front of them, so if they can give 100% in every match, the results should naturally follow.

——At syncSPORTS by Rakuten, we are writing articles under the Rakuten Group’s slogan “Powered by Sports. Playing for All.” What does player Ide envision as a “good future”?

In terms of my own career, I have grown significantly since coming to Vissel Kobe, so I want to become a more central player, and I want to be able to lead the team to victory with my plays.Additionally, in the future, I am considering becoming a coach or a manager.This is something I’ve been envisioning since my high school days, but eventually, I want to contribute to the soccer world as a leader.Currently, I am a player, but when analyzing the opposing team’s strategies, I try to look at it from a broader perspective.That’s the “good future” that I envision.

——I heard that your child will be born soon.What kind of player would you like to be for the sake of children, including your own, who might come to love soccer in the future?

Since I was young, I have admired “interesting soccer players” and “players who excite me”, and they have been my goal.Therefore, I would be happy if I could be a player who makes children feel the same way as I do when they watch my play.

——For children who are striving to become professional soccer players, could you please share a message?

I take pride in having practiced more than anyone else, and that has boosted my confidence. I love soccer, and have used that as motivation to work hard. Gradually, this turned into a strong resolve to become a soccer player, and I was actually able to become a J.LEAUGE player. If there is something you truly want to become, work harder than anyone else to grasp that dream.

Although he was known for his captivating plays, player Ide realized that it was not enough to get into the games at Vissel Kobe, where high-level players gathered, and gradually changed his style.And as they have become capable of strong play, their usage in important matches has increased.By not stubbornly sticking to their own style and no longer being reluctant to work hard, they made significant progress.I will continue to captivate with abundant physical activity and exceptional techniques.

INTERVIEW&EDIT: Yohsuke Watanabe (IN FOCUS)
TEXT:Kodai Wada