'Japanese Lionel Messi' Excited About 'Unique Opportunity'

Real Madrid star Takefusa Kubo is thrilled by the idea of possibly representing his country in the Tokyo Olympics.

The pandemic has caused big changes in the sporting world, including the rescheduling of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. But regardless of when the prestigious event will actualize, Kubo, hyped by some as “Japanese Lionel Messi,” insists he would be ready for the “unique opportunity.”

"It's a unique opportunity being the hosts of an Olympic Games," Kubo recently told the Getafe club press team (via Olympic Channel). "It's something that might only happen once in a lifetime, or for many it might never even happen."

"If it is possible to play the competition then what the fans want is us at our top level, and as hosts even more so,” the 19-year-old midfielder added. “If I am selected to play then on a personal and collective level we have to give it our all."

However, Kubo is well-aware that nothing is “more important” than health, pointing out that as athletes, they should be patient but ready at the same time.

"Safety is the most important thing so now we have to wait, but I think that as athletes we have to be ready and in form to give it our all whenever it's possible to play," the Japanese soccer prodigy pointed out.

Prior to moving to Spain and joining La Liga giants Real Madrid, Kubo was honed by Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, where he spent eight years developing his game.

Due to the stacked Los Blancos roster, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane delayed Kubo’s senior team promotion and sent him out on loan to Villareal to continue his progress. However, the teenage sensation also struggled to secure a spot in Unai Emery’s squad and opted to be loaned to a different club.

Earlier this year, Real Madrid finally sent Kubo on loan to another Spanish top-flight club, Getafe.

But for Kubo, no matter what club Real Madrid loans him to, he still sees himself wearing a white shirt in the future.

"My dream has always been to become one of the best players and I'll not stop working to achieve that," Kubo said in July last year. "I've always said that my aim was to play for Real Madrid. That is what I'm working towards and I'm doing the best I can. I like being able to play football in one of the best leagues in the world."