The Konami Monthly MVP awards honor the top player in each of the MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE divisions for their outstanding play each month, and for July the choice in the top flight was clear - Noriyoshi Sakai.

Sakai was fantastic in the month, scoring in all three of Sagan Tosu’s matches to help his club’s undefeated run. His deadly play in front of goal elevated Sagan and helped his team keep their place among the league’s top three. In a month short on matches because of the Tokyo 2020 break, it was difficult to make a major impact, but Sakai had no problem doing so. He was an absolute star.

In the MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE, the award was given to Hikaru Nakahara. The midfielder notched two goals and two assists in Montedio Yamagata’s three July matches, not only dominating the center of the pitch, but breaking teams down in the final third as well. Nakahara’s great play helped his club to a perfect month, winning all three matches, to jump right into the promotion race.