"I want to play at the Bernabeu for Real Madrid"

He was at Barcelona. but a ban led to him returning to Japan. Once he turned 18, Take Kubo chose Real Madrid, who is hoping to triumph at in the near future.

"It's clear that a club like Real Madrid is not like the rest. They are all top quality players and it is very difficult to earn yourself a spot there, but I'll keep on working and I'll wait for an opportunity," he told 'AS'.

Kubo showed his ambition in pre-season, when he was in the first team, and now at Mallorca. "It all depends on me and I will have a place at Real. Right now I'm at Mallorca to give it my best and to show that I can be there," he added.

The Japanese confessed that he still does not know what he will do next year, but he has a clear idea. "My preference is clear: be able to play at the Bernabeu with a Real Madrid shirt on. That is what I'm learning for now," he confessed.

Real Madrid beat the rest of the clubs to a Japanese player who looks to be promising for now and the future. Kubo recalled how Real Madrid persuaded him to return to Spain. 

"When I turned 18, on 4th June, Real Madrid said they wanted to come to Japan and they visited me. Their plan for the future tipped the balance. It was very exciting. You realise that at Real Madrid you are treated like another person of the family," he insisted.

At 18, Kubo arrived at Real Madrid and formed part of the pre-season. "At the beginning I was a bit nervious about having players famous the world over at my side, but I gradually adapted to it. Zidane treated me very well. He is a coach who is alert to the details," he explained.

Barca past

Kubo signed for Barcelona when he was just 10. A FIFA ban for Barcelona meant he could not play for them for a year so he went back to Japan to continue his development. 

"I'm very grateful to Barcelona as well as FC Tokyo, Yokohama Marinos and now Mallorca. Also to all the players, coaches and the people who helped me develop and helped me to be the player I am," he specified.

The Japanese spoke about one player in particular at Barcelona, Lionel Messi. "I don't know him in person, but he is someone to look up to for many youngsters who want to become footballers and also for current players. He is for me and for many left footers who aren't very tell and whose main characteristics are dribbling and using the ball well. Messi is the best at that," Kubo concluded.