This is the Japanese player who scored against Brazil: NEC player's brother faced controversy and publicly apologized

Ahead of the World Cup, Sano (25) wasn't guaranteed a starting spot. However, the absence of captain Wataru Endo boosted his chances. In 2025, he regularly featured for the Japanese squad, who were the first non-host nation to qualify for the World Cup. His inclusion in the squad at all is thanks to national coach Hajime Moriyasu, who reinstated Sano after he was accused of a serious offense.

In 2024, shortly after signing his contract with Mainz, Sano was arrested by the police. The then 23-year-old footballer was suspected of having raped a woman along with two friends.

His new club, Mainz, reacted at the time with a brief statement expressing their surprise at the sudden news. After nearly two weeks, Sano was released by the police. Mainz reported that the public prosecutor's office in Tokyo had decided to drop the investigation into the footballer. Consequently, no official charges were filed, and thus no conviction.

Sano initially responded with a short statement through his management. "I offer my sincere apologies to the victim for my actions that caused significant problems. I take the consequences of my actions seriously, and I will do everything I can to regain trust."

Japan's national coach, who has been at the helm since 2018, decided to re-include him in the squad in the summer of 2025. But not before reflecting on everything that had happened surrounding Sano. "I monitored him for a long time, and after speaking with him personally, I am convinced that he genuinely regrets what happened," Hajime Moriyasu stated at a press conference.

"If we view every player as family, I ask myself if we should exclude someone from society or football simply because they made a mistake. I have therefore decided that it is better – as a family – to offer him a path to a second chance."

Upon his return to the national team, Sano decided to hold his own press conference, where he reiterated his apologies. "I truly regret causing problems with my actions," he said, bowing his head for three seconds – a sign of respect and humility in Japan. "I felt I wanted to convey how I feel in my own words. I am grateful to be back in the national team, and I will play football with a greater sense of responsibility than anyone."

He quickly realized that people would form opinions about him. "The only thing I can do is fight for Japanese football, and I want to continue to do that and show it with my play and actions."

He has now been playing for Japan for almost a year and is part of the World Cup squad, unfortunately without his younger brother Kodai Sano from NEC. On social media, several widely circulated posts are resurfacing the case, ensuring that fans in Mexico (where Japan has its base camp) do not forget the dark past of Sano.

In the second round of the World Cup, he scored the opening goal. After half an hour, he put Japan up 1-0. The brother of NEC midfielder Kodai Sano placed the ball low into the corner from just outside the box.

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