The keyword for the revamped Gamba Osaka under Head Coach JENS WISSING is "forward."
Every player and staff member keeps those words in mind.
He is approaching football with a stronger forward-looking mindset, encompassing his playing style, his thinking, and even his life as a footballer.
This season's WE ARE GAMBA OSAKA is about men who keep pushing forward,
This book shines a spotlight on "breakthrough" moments—experiences and encounters that significantly changed one's career.
What kind of world did they discover beyond that point?

Going back two years, the serious right knee injury he suffered during a match in April 2024 gave Genta MIURA many insights, not only about "soccer" but also about life in general.
"This was the first time in my soccer career that I had to undergo surgery and recover from an injury that would take over a year to heal. However, instead of just spending that time rehabilitating to get back on the pitch, I was able to use that time to gain various insights into soccer, reflect on my soccer career so far, think about my family, and broaden my perspective on life. This has become a very valuable asset for me."
In that context, the realization that "I can't be a soccer player forever" allowed me to look to the future and reflect on my thoughts, which gave me an opportunity to re-examine what "happiness" means to me.
"Football takes up a large part of me now, but in the grand scheme of life, it's only a small part. Even if football were to disappear, I wouldn't disappear, and I have many people who support me and many friends. In particular, the strength of having my family by my side throughout my life is something I've felt anew through this injury. My children and family have always been my motivation, but this has made me want to work harder for my sons and make my family happy even more. Being able to take time to think about what kind of life would make me happy has had a positive impact on my mentality and way of thinking, even now that I've returned to football."
Even after returning to the lineup, when his condition didn't improve as he hoped, when he couldn't take to the pitch in official matches, and when he felt anxious about his injured area, he was always able to face his battle with himself without taking his eyes off it, because he had an unshakeable mind that he had prepared for those times.
"As a soccer player, even if something happens that might seem like a setback, such as not being able to play in a match or suffering a minor injury, it doesn't negate the confidence you've built up. When you can think like that, you can face everything that happens to you with a mindset of 'it'll all work out somehow.' Of course, confidence is something you can only build by doing what you need to do, including your daily preparation, but because I was able to maintain that mindset, even when I was going through a period after this injury where I couldn't play in matches for a while after returning to the lineup, I didn't get anxious or have negative feelings, and I think I was able to continue preparing with the confidence that I could fight well once I was on the pitch."
Of course, that motivates him and boosts his performance in official matches. The fact that he's stepping up his game with each match and bringing stability to the backline is proof of that.
"Even my trainer, who examines my body, was surprised, saying, 'I can't believe how much you change after playing a match!' But for me, just going out into a match flips a switch in me, and the things that were bothering me completely disappear, and my movements change dramatically. Playing soccer on the amazing pitch of an official match, with passionate support from the fans, flips a switch in both my body and mind, and by continuing to play, I feel like I'm getting more in shape and improving. I really feel that matches have a special power."
And Miura's example shows us that no matter how painful or frustrating an experience may be, it will eventually turn into strength.

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Text by Misa Takamura

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