Japan Youngest Player

Atsuto Uchida first played football with Shimizu High School in 2003, and in 2006 he made the move to the professional game with Kashima Antlers. He has since made over 100 appearances for the club, and was part of the J-League Team of the Year in both 2008 and 2009.

He received he first call-up to the Japan national team in 2006 but only made his debut two years later in a friendly against Chile. He made his full debut in February 2008 in the 4-01 win over Thailand.

He scored his first international goal four months later in the 2010 World Cup qualifier against Bahrain, netting the winning goal.