7. Shinji Ono
At a time when Japanese football was crackling with talent and attacking potential, a lanky teenager became the youngest player to represent Japan and made everyone sit up and take notice of him – it was Ono. The ‘Most Valuable Player’ at the AFC Youth Championship and ‘Asian Young Footballer of the Year’ in 1998, popularly became known as ‘Tensai’ (the genius) among the masses for his prowess, creativity, and footwork on the pitch.
A fan of the legendary Shunsuke Nakamura, Ono carved a niche for himself in Japanese history by being a regular and influential presence in the national team in the 2002 World Cup as well as the 2004 Olympic games. He was named ‘Asian footballer of the year’ in 2002, a well-deserved award to crown his achievements at both club and country level.
Ono began his club career in his home country before transferring to Dutch team Feyenoord in 2001. His successful five-year stint in the Eredivisie included a UEFA Cup in 2002, thereby becoming the first Japanese player ever to win a European trophy. He played in the Bundesliga as well as in the Australian domestic league (where he won three titles), punctuated by brief stints at clubs back home.
