He was voted Japan's footballer of the year by the country's sports writers in 2001 and looks on course to be one of the country's best exports.

Perugia were said to be among the Serie A sides closely following his progress but he has, so far, rejected all European advances to concentrate on the World Cup.

A switch to the continent looks a likely outcome after the tournament, probably to Italy.

He has a good relationship with Takayuki Suzuki in attack for club and country.

But, unlike his colleague, he is strong at providing scoring opportunities for the players around him as well as converting some himself.