Japan’s midfielder Ao Tanaka has suffered an injury while playing for Leeds United in the Premier League.
Tanaka joined Leeds last summer and has played 47 matches, scoring five goals and providing two assists, contributing to the team’s EFL Championship victory last season.
He played the full match in Leeds’ 1-0 win over Everton in their season opener but was substituted before the hour mark against Arsenal.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke confirmed that the 26-year-old sustained a Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) injury, though he didn’t specify when Tanaka would return.
ALSO READ: Japan football legend Kunishige Kamamoto passes away aged 81
“It’s an MCL injury, and he will be out for a few weeks,” Farke said. “It’s hard to pinpoint when he can come back, but he certainly won’t be ready before the international break. It’s quite similar to Ethan Ampadu’s injury.”
Tanaka, who made his international debut in 2019, has played 32 times for Japan, scoring eight goals and getting one assist.
He is well-remembered for scoring Japan’s winning goal against Spain at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a goal that was controversial due to a debate over the ball’s position during the build-up.
His last game for the national team was at the 2025 E-1 EAFF Championship, where he helped Japan reach the final.
Published on Aug 27, 2025