In our most «fluent» Japanese, paokfc.gr tried to put together 11 pieces of lesser-known information about Shinji Kagawa.

• While most children of his age were getting ready for kindergarten, he started playing football. At just five years old.
• And while the rest of kids his age were getting ready for a math test, he signed his first professional contract with Cerezo Osaka. That was at the age of 16, before he even finished high school.
• He has an older sister and is one of those children who makes his parents proud. Not because he played football, but because he never got a tattoo or put a cigarette in his mouth.
• His parents had a weakness for, and a short career in basketball, but fortunately for everyone and himself, Shinji opted to play football.
• The house where he lives always needs to have some special specifications. That is, a large space capable of housing his private training center for his individual training.
• And as part of those specifications, it’s always good to add some large spaces in general so that he does not have a problem moving around using his Segway, although this is a habit that he has probably stopped and did not bring with him to Thessaloniki.
• His favorite food is of course udon. Wherever he goes, he signs a contract with an Asian chef to cook for him. If you want to neutralize him, just serve it very hot and spicy…
• His football idol was Kazuyoshi Miura. Shinji has admired him since he was a child, watching his videos and imitating his skills. His biggest friendship on the football field is with Yuto Nagatomo.
• He is the only Japanese player to score in four different European countries.
  He is a member of the Common Goals charity founded by Juan Mata and donates 1% of his salary to charities. He is the first Japanese to participate in the Common Goals.