Ryotaro Araki took the MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE by storm this season, scoring 10 goals and adding seven assists. His outstanding play helped lead Kashima Antlers to fourth place, a jump up from 2020, and he was rewarded for it by being awarded the league’s Best Young Player Award.

The 19-year-old’s 10 goals led all J1 midfielders and ranked him among the top 10 in the league. His seven assists also led all midfielders and put him in the league’s top five. Not only did Araki outpace all midfielders, he was miles better than anyone else his age. No other J1 teenager managed more than two goals or two assists.

Araki just made his professional debut last year, scoring two goals and picking up two assists in part-time action for Kashima. While highly thought of, the idea of him going from talented youngster to one of the best players in the league in just one year was unthinkable, but Araki blew away all expectations.

Araki will enter next season as Kashima’s star and the heartbeat of the team, and he’ll have a trophy to prove why.