Japanese footballer
Shinji Ono
(
小野 伸二
,
Ono Shinji
, born 27 September 1979)
is a Japanese former professional
footballer
.
He started his senior career with
J1 League
side Urawa Reds before moving Dutch side
Feyenoord
in 2001 where he won the
UEFA Cup
in 2002. He returned to Urawa Reds in 2006 where he won the
2006
J League title in his first season back at the club and the
2007
AFC Champions League in his second season. He moved to Bundesliga side Bochum in January 2008 but made limited appearances due to injuries. He signed for
Shimizu S-Pulse
in January 2010. He subsequently played for Western Sydney Wanderers, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo and Ryukyu before retiring in 2023.
He earned 56 caps for the Japan national team. He was part of the squads for the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups.
Career
[
edit
]
Urawa Reds
[
edit
]
Ono grew up in the
Shizuoka Prefecture
and began his professional career with
Urawa Reds
in the
J1 League
in 1998. The same year, he became the youngest Japanese player to play at
1998 World Cup
, at age 18.
[5]
He caught the attention of foreign clubs with his performance at the
1999 World Youth Championship
in Nigeria, where he captained the
Japanese Under-20
side that reached the final. But later that year, he suffered a severe knee injury in a qualification match for the
2000 Olympics
with
Japan's Under-23 side
, forcing him to miss the rest of the season and Olympic qualifying.
[6]
Feyenoord
[
edit
]
After a strong performance at the
2001 Confederations Cup
, Ono moved to
Feyenoord
of the Dutch
Eredivisie
in 2001. In his first season, he helped Feyenoord win the 2002
UEFA Cup
, making him the first Japanese in history to win a European trophy. However, a string of injuries kept him sidelined for long periods. After he missed the majority of 2004?05, the club sold him.
[7]
His stint at the
Rotterdam
based club is highly rated and Dutch midfielder
Wesley Sneijder
said "Shinji Ono is the toughest opponent I've ever faced".
[8]
Urawa Reds return
[
edit
]
On 13 January 2006, Ono returned to the J1 League, signing a three-year deal with his former club
Urawa Reds
.
[9]
Bochum
[
edit
]
In the 2008 January transfer window, Ono returned to Europe, signing with
Bundesliga
's
Bochum
. On 3 February 2008, Ono made his Bundesliga debut in an away game against
Werder Bremen
, and he had two assists that helped Bochum with their first ever win over Bremen at
Weserstadion
. Ono suffered injuries in the following two years in Bochum, and could only play 34 matches in which he gave four assists for the club. In the winter break of 2009?10, Ono requested a return to Japan for personal reasons. Different Japanese clubs were interested in the midfielder. Bochum allowed him to leave under the condition that they could find a successor.
[10]
Shimizu S-Pulse
[
edit
]
On 9 January 2010, Ono returned to his native
Shizuoka Prefecture
by signing for
Shimizu S-Pulse
.
[11]
The transfer fee were rumored to be €300,000 for the midfielder whose contract in Bochum expired in the summer of 2010. In an interview he declared that the main reason for his transfer was his wish to reunite with his wife and children, who were still living in Japan.
[12]
Western Sydney Wanderers
[
edit
]
On 28 September 2012, it was announced that Shinji Ono had signed with new
A-League
club
Western Sydney Wanderers
on a two-year deal as the club's
marquee player
. The Wanderers were offered former German international
Michael Ballack
[13]
but preferred to sign Ono.
[14]
He made his debut for the Wanderers on 6 October, in a scoreless draw against
Central Coast Mariners
, in the first game of the season.
Ono scored his first goal for the club with a penalty in round 10 against Brisbane Roar.
[15]
Ono scored two stunning goals to help the Wanderers beat Melbourne Victory 2?1 in round 14 on 1 January 2013.
[16]
On 16 January 2014, the club announced that Ono would return to Japan at the end of the A-League season. Ono will link up with
J2 League
club
Consadole Sapporo
to play out the remainder of the season in Japan as the club chases promotion to the J1 League.
[17]
On 4 May 2014, Ono played his last A-League game for the Wanderers, in a 2?1 Grand Final loss to
Brisbane Roar
, in what was to be the Wanderers' second successive Grand Final defeat.
[18]
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
[
edit
]
Following the expiration of his contract and his desire to see his family, Ono joined
Consadole Sapporo
(later
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
) in May 2014.
[17]
FC Ryukyu
[
edit
]
On 5 August 2019, Ono signed with
J2 League
club
FC Ryukyu
.
[19]
In December 2020, he left Ryuku after failing to reach a contract extension agreement.
[20]
Return to Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
[
edit
]
On 1 January 2021, it was announced that he would return to his former club, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, as a permanent transfer.
[21]
His uniform number is 44, the same as when he belonged to Sapporo last time.
On 9 June of the same year, in the second round of the Emperor's Cup at Sony Sendai, he scored his first goal in an official match in four years with a direct free kick. This goal made him the oldest player to score in the Emperor's Cup (41 years and 255 days old).
On 28 January 2022, it was announced that he had signed a lifetime contract with Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.
[22]
Ono commented, "I consider Hokkaido to be my second home. I don't know how I will end my active career, but I hope to continue to give back to the club by sharing my experiences". In addition, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo representative director and GM Daikatsu Mikami expressed his intention to prioritize Ono's wishes, saying, "I will let him decide whether he wants to be a coach or join the front desk".
On 27 September 2023, the day he celebrated his 44th birthday, which is the same as his jersey number, he posted on his Instagram a message posted on the Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo official website:
[23]
[24]
"I have a report to share with you all. 39th anniversary of my first encounter with soccer. My feet, which have been my companions for many years, are telling me it's time to give them a rest, so I've decided to end my career as a professional soccer player at the end of this season. There are still a few games left in the season. However, I will continue to prepare as well as possible so that I can be involved in the game as much as possible. I ask for your support until the end". Shinji Ono announced that he will retire as an active player after the 2023 season.
On 3 December 2023, at the 2023 J1 league season final round, Ono played his last professional game against Urawa. He said goodbye to his colleague and every fan.
[25]
International career
[
edit
]
When fit, Ono was an ever-present member of the
Japan national team
. He made his full international debut on 1 April 1998 against
South Korea
in a friendly.
[26]
After his appearance in the 1998 World Cup, he was a key member of the Japanese squad in the
2002 FIFA World Cup
. He has represented Japan at every age level starting with the U-16 team, and was one of three overage selections at the
2004 Olympics
in Athens. Injuries limited Ono to just one appearance in the final round of the
qualification
for the
2006 FIFA World Cup
and missed the Confederations Cup in 2003 and 2005. He played in his third World Cup finals in Germany.
[27]
Style of play
[
edit
]
Known as
Tensai
[28]
[29]
(天才,
Japanese
for
Genius
), Ono is one of the biggest stars in Asian football, known for his vision, technique and superb passing.
[30]
Although his primary position is
attacking midfielder
, he can play anywhere in the midfield, including
defensive midfield
and either
wing
.
Career statistics
[
edit
]
Club
[
edit
]
- As of 27 September 2023
[31]
[32]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club
|
Season
|
League
|
National cup
|
League cup
|
Continental
|
Other
[a]
|
Total
|
Division
|
Apps
|
Goals
|
Apps
|
Goals
|
Apps
|
Goals
|
Apps
|
Goals
|
Apps
|
Goals
|
Apps
|
Goals
|
Urawa Reds
|
1998
|
J.League
|
27
|
9
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
29
|
9
|
1999
|
J.League Division 1
|
14
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
16
|
2
|
2000
|
J.League Division 2
|
24
|
7
|
2
|
1
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
26
|
8
|
2001
|
2001 J.League Division 1
|
14
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
3
|
?
|
?
|
18
|
5
|
Total
|
79
|
20
|
6
|
1
|
4
|
3
|
?
|
?
|
89
|
24
|
Feyenoord
|
2001?02
|
Eredivisie
|
30
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
?
|
12
|
2
|
?
|
44
|
6
|
2002?03
|
Eredivisie
|
29
|
7
|
2
|
0
|
?
|
5
|
0
|
3
|
2
|
39
|
9
|
2003?04
|
Eredivisie
|
24
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
?
|
4
|
0
|
?
|
29
|
2
|
2004?05
|
Eredivisie
|
25
|
7
|
2
|
0
|
?
|
7
|
1
|
?
|
34
|
8
|
2005?06
|
Eredivisie
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
?
|
1
|
0
|
?
|
5
|
0
|
Total
|
112
|
19
|
7
|
1
|
?
|
29
|
1
|
3
|
2
|
151
|
23
|
Urawa Reds
|
2006
|
J.League Division 1
|
28
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
?
|
1
|
0
|
34
|
9
|
2007
|
J.League Division 1
|
25
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
8
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
37
|
6
|
Total
|
53
|
8
|
4
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
8
|
2
|
3
|
0
|
71
|
15
|
VfL Bochum
|
2007?08
|
Bundesliga
|
12
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
12
|
0
|
2008?09
|
Bundesliga
|
8
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
10
|
0
|
2009?10
|
Bundesliga
|
9
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
10
|
0
|
Total
|
29
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
32
|
0
|
Shimizu S-Pulse
|
2010
|
J.League Division 1
|
30
|
2
|
5
|
1
|
6
|
1
|
?
|
?
|
41
|
4
|
2011
|
J.League Division 1
|
26
|
6
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
?
|
?
|
30
|
8
|
2012
|
J.League Division 1
|
14
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
14
|
0
|
Total
|
70
|
8
|
7
|
2
|
8
|
2
|
?
|
?
|
85
|
12
|
Western Sydney Wanderers
|
2012?13
|
A-League
|
24
|
7
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
2
|
1
|
26
|
8
|
2013?14
|
A-League
|
23
|
2
|
?
|
?
|
6
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
31
|
3
|
Total
|
47
|
9
|
?
|
?
|
6
|
1
|
4
|
1
|
57
|
11
|
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
|
2014
|
J2 League
|
7
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
7
|
0
|
2015
|
J2 League
|
17
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
19
|
2
|
2016
|
J2 League
|
15
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
17
|
0
|
2017
|
J1 League
|
16
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
7
|
1
|
?
|
?
|
24
|
1
|
2018
|
J1 League
|
7
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
12
|
0
|
2019
|
J1 League
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
2
|
0
|
Total
|
62
|
2
|
7
|
0
|
12
|
1
|
?
|
?
|
81
|
3
|
FC Ryukyu
|
2019
|
J2 League
|
9
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
9
|
0
|
2020
|
J2 League
|
14
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
14
|
0
|
Total
|
23
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
23
|
0
|
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
|
2021
|
J1 League
|
4
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
11
|
1
|
2022
|
J1 League
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
2
|
0
|
2023
|
J1 League
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
3
|
0
|
Total
|
6
|
0
|
5
|
1
|
5
|
0
|
?
|
?
|
16
|
1
|
Career total
|
481
|
66
|
39
|
8
|
32
|
8
|
43
|
6
|
10
|
3
|
605
|
91
|
International
[
edit
]
- Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ono goal.
Honours
[
edit
]
Feyenoord
Urawa Red Diamonds
Western Sydney Wanderers
Japan
Individual
References
[
edit
]
- ^
"2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Japan"
(PDF)
. FIFA. 21 March 2014. p. 16. Archived from
the original
(PDF)
on 10 June 2019.
- ^
"Shinji Ono"
. Feyenoord. Archived from
the original
on 25 February 2006.
- ^
"Shinji Ono"
. Western Sydney Wanderers FC. Archived from
the original
on 20 March 2013.
- ^
a
b
c
"Shinji Ono"
.
kicker.de
(in German)
. Retrieved
3 October
2019
.
- ^
"About Shinji Captain"
. Ono Shinji Official Web Site. Archived from
the original
on 25 November 2012
. Retrieved
15 October
2012
.
- ^
"Shinji Ono"
. the-rising-sun-news.com
. Retrieved
15 October
2012
.
[
permanent dead link
]
- ^
"Feyenoord midfielder Ono on his way home to join Urawa Reds"
. thestar.com.my. 15 January 2006. Archived from
the original
on 21 February 2013
. Retrieved
15 October
2012
.
- ^
"Wes Sneijder: analysis of world class player"
. International Football News - World Cup Blog. 31 October 2010. Archived from
the original
on 14 July 2012
. Retrieved
18 February
2013
.
- ^
"Ono back to Japan from Feyenoord"
. ESPN Soccernet. 15 December 2005. Archived from
the original
on 16 July 2012
. Retrieved
15 October
2012
.
- ^
"Exklusiv: Wechsel von Shinji Ono hangt vom Nachfolger ab"
(in German). goal.com. 8 January 2010
. Retrieved
15 October
2012
.
- ^
"Official press release"
(in Japanese). s-pulse.co.jp. Archived from
the original
on 12 January 2010.
- ^
"Shinji Ono im exklusiven Abschiedsinterview: Wegen der Familie zuruck nach Japan"
(in German). goal.com. 9 January 2010
. Retrieved
15 October
2012
.
- ^
"Western Sydney Wanderers chairman Lyall Gorman says club is considering options with Michael Ballack"
.
Fox Sports Australia
. Retrieved
17 June
2016
.
- ^
"Wanderers sign Shinji Ono"
. footballaustralia.com.au. 28 September 2012. Archived from
the original
on 16 October 2012
. Retrieved
15 October
2012
.
- ^
"Ono off the mark as Wanderers beat Roar"
. Local Today
. Retrieved
2 January
2013
.
- ^
"Ono A-League double lifts Wanderers"
. smh.com.au. January 2013
. Retrieved
2 January
2013
.
- ^
a
b
"Shinji Ono to return to Japan at season's end"
.
Football Federation Australia
. 16 January 2014. Archived from
the original
on 4 February 2014
. Retrieved
6 June
2014
.
- ^
Bossi, Dominic (4 May 2014).
"Brisbane Roar's extra-time victory breaks Western Sydney Wanderers' hearts"
. smh.com.au
. Retrieved
9 May
2014
.
- ^
"小野伸二 選手 FC琉球2019シ?ズン移籍加入のお知らせ"
[Shinji Ono FC Ryukyu 2019 season transfer participation notice] (in Japanese).
FC Ryukyu
. 5 August 2019.
- ^
"小野伸二選手 退?のお知らせ"
[Shinji Ono's departure notice] (in Japanese).
FC Ryukyu
. 25 December 2020.
- ^
"小野伸二選手 完全移籍加入のお知らせ"
. 1 January 2021.
- ^
"小野伸二、J1札幌と生涯契約…現役引退後も「??を還元できたら」"
. 28 January 2022. Archived from
the original
on 28 January 2022.
- ^
"【札幌】「天才」小野伸二が引退?表「足がそろそろ休ませてくれ」44?誕生日、W杯3大?連?"
. 27 September 2023.
- ^
"小野伸二選手 現役引退のお知らせ"
. 27 September 2023. Archived from
the original
on 27 September 2023.
- ^
"こんなに美しい場面があるだろうか――小野伸二、ラストダンスにファン感?。浦和の選手たちも花道「何回見ても泣く」「やっぱり別格」"
. 3 December 2023.
- ^
a
b
Japan National Football Team Database
- ^
"Shinji ONO"
. FIFA.com. Archived from
the original
on 2 March 2008
. Retrieved
15 October
2012
.
- ^
Monteverde, Marco (26 October 2012).
"Shinji Ono laughs off comparisons with Alessandro Del Piero and Emile Heskey"
. news.com.au. Archived from
the original
on 24 February 2014
. Retrieved
23 April
2013
.
- ^
Davutovic, David (12 April 2013).
"Western Sydney Wanderers on verge of a fairytale title win in first season"
. adelaidenow
. Retrieved
23 April
2013
.
- ^
Hassett, Sebastian (22 September 2012).
"Japan's genius ponders taking wander out west"
. smh.com.au
. Retrieved
15 October
2012
.
- ^
Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポ?ツ企?出版社,
"2016J1&J2&J3選手名鑑"
, 10 February 2016, Japan,
ISBN
978-4905411338
(p. 196 out of 289)
- ^
"Soccer D.B. : 2022 Shinji Ono Result by Season"
.
Soccer D.B
. Retrieved
19 March
2022
.
- ^
"Yasuhito Endo named J-League 30-year MVP, Kazuyoshi Miura, Shunsuke Nakamura in best XI"
.
Mainichi Shimbun
. Retrieved
18 May
2023
.
External links
[
edit
]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to
Shinji Ono
.
Awards
|
---|
Western Sydney Wanderers FC Player of the Year
|
---|
|
|