Despite the kilometers that separate the two countries, Brazil has a great representative in Japanese football. We are talking about Anderson Lopes, Yokohama Marinos striker, who is enjoying a spectacular season in the J1 League. At 29, he’s the tournament’s top scorer while his team leads the standings so far.
Lopes has 18 games played so far and showed an impressive eye for goal: he scored 13 goals, one more than Yuya Osako from Vissel Kobe. It’s a dream moment for a footballer who had to work hard to get the spotlight.
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Anderson Lopes, the Brazilian who found his place in Asia
Anderson Lopes’ journey reflects great perseverance. For many years, he had a hard time settling in a team and it was far from home where he found a place to thrive. The Brazilian began his journey at Avaí in 2014, but was never able to establish himself and went from one club to another on loan. In Brazil he wore the uniforms of Marcílio Dias, Tombense and Athletico Paranaense, but without showing off too much.
His first experience abroad was in 2016, when he joined Japanese club Sanfrecce Hiroshima on loan. Two years later, he returned to Asia to defend the colors of FC Seoul in South Korea. After just one season, Lopes moved to Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, where he finally managed to bring out the best version of himself.
In two years with the Japanese club, the Brazilian played 75 games and scored 39 goals. That level aroused the interest of the Chinese Wuhan Yangtze team, which he joined in July 2021. The following semester, he signed for his current team, where he is enjoying his best moment.
Playing for Yokohama Marinos, in addition to last season’s title, Anderson Lopes has also held the Japan Super Cup trophy.
Anderson Lopes has already set a personal record for goals in a J1 season. 🔥🔥
Tune in to https://t.co/3kplHAJgBN for all the great highlights📺🔥#JLEAGUE #J30 pic.twitter.com/IqVDsJr6Yr
— J.LEAGUE Official (English) (@J_League_En) June 13, 2023
In just 18 games, Anderson Lopes has already surpassed the 11 goals that he scored in 2022, which was even his best mark in the Japanese league. There is still a long way to go, but everything suggests that it could be a historic campaign for the experienced Brazilian center forward.
