\u2013 The Japanese legend wants to retire here and has no plans to play anywhere else.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Discussions are ongoing between Sakai and the club hierarchy about a future role at the club, when he hangs up his boots.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Sakai has already started the process to become a resident \u2013 and could seek to become a permanent resident.<\/p>\n
While it\u2019s great news for Auckland FC, it\u2019s also a boon for football in this country, given what he could contribute in the coming years. Sakai has done it all in the sport \u2013 appearing 75 times for the Japanese national team, including three Fifa World Cup campaigns, playing for big clubs in France and Germany and winning the Asian Champions League with Urawa Red Diamonds. <\/p>\n
But you wouldn\u2019t know it. He is a man of great mana but also modesty and the kind of individual who can inspire across multiple demographics.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the captain, he really sets the tone of who we are as people, who we want to represent in the community,\u201d says Auckland FC director of football Terry McFlynn. \u201cFor what he\u2019s achieved in the game and continues to achieve, he\u2019s so humble, so approachable, and he just wants what\u2019s best for everyone in the club but also everyone in Auckland as well. When we ask the boys [about] engaging with the community, he\u2019s one of the first ones to put his hand up, and you can\u2019t really put a price on that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hiroki Sakai of Auckland FC with young fans after a match. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
Future plans<\/p>\n
We catch up with Sakai in the Auckland FC team room, after the post-training lunch. A teammate is playing on an arcade game, while a couple of other players are getting physiotherapy next door. Sakai offers a warm smile and greeting before we slip into conversation.<\/p>\n
His English has improved considerably since our first interview, in August 2024, another example of his diligence. He studies most nights from 9pm \u2013 \u201cwhen the children have gone to bed\u201d for up to two hours and listens to audio classes on the daily drives to the Albany training base.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to improve more,\u201d he laughs. \u201cMy kids (11 years old, 6 and 4) pick up [things] so fast … they are like sponges.\u201d<\/p>\n
A new adventure as a family was one of the principal reasons Sakai and his wife decided to move here, along with the unique proposition of building a club from the ground up.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a good opportunity for my kids, I hope,\u201d says Sakai. \u201cThey have to create their own life, but I just want to give them the opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
It has worked out even better than expected.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy family and I are so happy to be here,\u201d admits Sakai. \u201cOf course, everything depends on the situation, but [right now] I want to retire as a football player here. I love this team, and we love this country.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Sakai emphasises \u2013 only half-jokingly \u2013 that his spouse holds the key to their plans \u2013 \u201cAbout the future, my wife decides everything\u201d \u2013 they are already thinking long term. Sakai will be eligible for residency from July next year and beyond that wants to become a permanent resident.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope I can,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
He is also in discussions about a club position when he does retire, saying it is an ideal opportunity, given his strong relationship with chief executive Nick Becker, McFlynn, Steve Corica and the coaching staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve progressed those conversations,\u201d confirmed McFlynn. \u201cHe\u2019s made it known to everyone that he would love to stay in New Zealand. For us as a club, it\u2019s a privilege to have him walking into the building every day, with just the effect he has on everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
The exact nature of the role has yet to be defined, but McFlynn said they would make the most of Sakai\u2019s skill set, knowledge and global contacts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be wrong of us to pigeonhole him into something that doesn\u2019t utilise everything he brings.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hiroki Sakai celebrates an Auckland FC goal against Wellington Phoenix. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
For now, though, Sakai is focused on leading the team into at least the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a professional player, but my role is not only to play football,\u201d says Sakai.<\/p>\n
He knows he is the bridge between the players and the coaching staff and takes a lot of responsibility on, especially in the difficult moments when results go south.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course I have to focus on my performance, but also I have to look at every situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Injuries have disrupted his season but now Sakai is performing as well as ever, despite the physically demanding nature of the A-League. He remains a highly influential figure, both at training and in matches.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a leader he knows when the players need a lift and he does that through his actions,\u201d says McFlynn.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why there was no hesitation about another campaign, with McFlynn saying Sakai would continue playing as long as it was mutually beneficial for both club and player.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a very fit man for his age, and he can adapt his game to whatever style of football the coaches want to play,\u201d said McFlynn.<\/p>\n
Auckland FC’s Hiroki Sakai with fans. Photo \/ photosport.nz<\/p>\n
Life in New Zealand<\/p>\n
When Sakai arrived here in July 2024, he had never been to New Zealand. He knew little about the country \u2013 apart from the usual stereotypes \u2013 and it was a step into the unknown for the family. So what have they enjoyed so much?<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are many things,\u201d says Sakai. \u201cThe nature, the people are kind, we are all learning English. And for the kids, it\u2019s not dangerous, it\u2019s a relaxed place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sakai has also embraced the outdoor lifestyle. He has been taking surfing lessons for the past year and on his days off can be spotted on his board at Muriwai or beaches north of Auckland \u2013 Omaha, Waip\u016b Cove or T\u0101wharanui.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the moment my dream is Raglan,\u201d laughs Sakai.<\/p>\n
He goes fishing with his kids and has also taken up golf, after limited opportunities to play in the past.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew Zealand is very good for golf \u2013 and not so expensive as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sakai has also appreciated the relative anonymity here, compared with Japan, where it was complicated to take his family to the beach, the mall or the zoo without getting a lot of attention, given his fame. He is getting more recognised though \u2013 but feels that is a good thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means football\u2019s popularity is going up in New Zealand and AFC is also getting famous,\u201d says Sakai. \u201cThis is very important. I am very happy because I can feel it went from zero to now it\u2019s 30 or 40.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also appreciates that most fan interactions here are quite relaxed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very casual,\u201d says Sakai. \u201cSay hello, can I take a picture or something, five seconds, then bye.\u201d<\/p>\n
Birthday bonanza<\/p>\n
For a captain, Sakai is immensely popular among the squad. The younger players look up to him \u2013 wanting to hear his war stories of facing Neymar, Kylian Mbappe or Eden Hazard \u2013 and the more seasoned professionals admire his work ethic, enthusiasm and pure talent. In a demanding environment, he is also known for being unfailingly calm and polite \u2013 but also confident \u2013 in all his interactions with club staff and stakeholders.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s very considerate,\u201d says one staffer.<\/p>\n
As our interview concludes, Sakai wanders off to deliver a special package to the club kitchen. He has imported five kilos of wagyu beef from Japan, which the chef will prepare for the team lunch next Tuesday, after his 36th birthday on Sunday, the day following the crucial home clash with Melbourne Victory. According to one expert, the cuts would be worth \u201cfour or five thousand\u201d but that sums up Sakai, his generosity and the love for his team, his club and his adopted country.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been amazing for us,\u201d says McFlynn. \u201cJust to have some of Hiroki\u2019s stature, presence, and character in the building is really what we\u2019re all about as a football club.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael Burgess<\/a> has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America\u2019s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u2013 The Japanese legend wants to retire here and has no plans to play anywhere else. \u2013 Discussions…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":373553,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[74,27500,95,51,13381,2046,1017,15980,5213,6101,191,194939,1345,1036,3223,2882,5812,5978,111,139,69,194940,213,2737,61,14638,102,80],"class_list":["post-373552","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-after","tag-aleague","tag-and","tag-auckland","tag-captain","tag-career","tag-exclusive","tag-fallen","tag-football","tag-good","tag-here","tag-hiroki","tag-home","tag-japanese","tag-legend","tag-love","tag-make","tag-might","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-sakai","tag-sports","tag-star","tag-to","tag-wants","tag-with","tag-zealand"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/373552","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=373552"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/373552\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/373553"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=373552"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=373552"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=373552"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}