Seko: "My friends in Japan would say I'm crazy"

Our arrival at the Océane stadium coincided with that of Ayumu Seko, and "Bonjour" and "Konnichiwa" were de rigueur. While he communicates in English at HAC, the 25-year-old Japanese player gave his first interview to a European media outlet on Thursday with the help of a Japanese interpreter. Unknown in France upon his signing, the central defender or defensive midfielder immediately became a key element of Didier Digard's team with his pitch coverage, game intelligence, and consistency. "He makes our lives easier," smiles the coach. And while Ayumu means "to advance step by step towards his dreams," the Le Havre revelation looked back for L'Équipe on his ascending trajectory, which had never been told in Europe before.

"I didn't want to do interviews"

In three and a half years at Grasshopper Zurich, you didn't do any interviews with the Swiss media. Why?

I didn't want to. I didn't speak English, and I was shy too. And I didn't want to tell my life story internationally; I didn't see the point. I've changed my mind.

"Do people know Ayumu Seko in Japan?"

I won the best young player award twice with Cerezo Osaka, where I was trained. I think I made an impression there. Outside of that, I don't know. But my friends in Japan would say I'm crazy! They'd say, "He's nuts, funny, and always laughing!" (laughs) I'm Japanese with a Latin side.

Childhood football dreams and manga obsession

As a child, did you want to become a footballer?

I played with a ball whenever I had free time. I started playing football at 7 and already dreamed of the national team. I joined Cerezo at 10. I was selected from U12 to U20, and also for the Olympic team.

And what were your other passions?

Like other kids, I played tag and hide-and-seek. Today? I've become addicted to Japanese dramas. I just watched two, "Proposal Daisakusen" and "Pride," which is about an ice hockey team. I also love manga and anime, like "One Piece."

"Detective Conan influenced my game! I had a library full of manga. I grew up with it."

Did the manga "Detective Conan" really inspire you to play football?

My older brother, who is five years older, was already playing football. But "Detective Conan" (the series started in 1994) influenced my game! He has a button on his belt; when he presses it, a ball comes out. He then kicks the ball, which catches the culprit or helps solve the case. I always dreamed of shooting like him! (laughs) I had a library full of manga. I grew up with it.

Training at Cerezo Osaka

You also grew up at Cerezo Osaka; what was the priority there?

Before I was 12-13, training focused on technique. Afterwards, it was mainly physical. It was tough; I gritted my teeth. Being from Osaka, from the Taisho district, helped me mentally. There, we tend to be fearless. We're close to people; we're not afraid to get into tackles. It's different from Tokyo.

"At Cerezo Osaka, I was trained as a footballer and as a man."

Did you play in multiple positions?

Yes! At 7, as I was the tallest, I started as a central defender at the local club Nakaizuo. I also played as a striker. At Cerezo, I started as a central defender, and from age 13, I was asked to play in other positions to see 360 degrees, to get the best preparation for the future. I moved to defensive midfield.

Mentorship and Responsibility

You were influenced by Tomoya Takehana; who was he?

At Cerezo, I was trained as a footballer and as a man; he was one of my educators. But he was more than that. He created my playing style. He built a program for me, and at each age, I had a goal to achieve, like being called up to the national team at 22. And we achieved it. When I go back to Japan, I always review things with him. He's my mentor.

You, in turn, guided others in Switzerland, for example, when you cooked for your teammate Teruki Hara!

Teruki was living in a hotel, my house was nearby, and I always invited him over to eat at my place. I also took young players to the training center. They were on my route, so I'd pick them up by car every day.

Moving to Europe and the challenges

How did your family react when you left for Europe?

I had Covid just before my transfer and flew to Switzerland (in January 2022) two days after signing. So I couldn't see my loved ones; they just told me, "Ah, that's good! Good luck!"

What was the hardest part in Europe?

When I first arrived in Switzerland, I was surprised by the pace of play, but I adapted. But initially, I had a Japanese teammate, Hayao Kawabe. And when he left (in 2023), I felt terribly alone. I was sad; I wasn't motivated to play football anymore; I missed my family. So I asked myself: Why did I come to Europe? And I remobilized. Going back to Japan would have been a failure.

"If I want to eat Japanese food, I go to Paris with Keito Nakamura and Hiroki Sekine, who play in Reims."

What surprises you most in France?

I don't notice cultural differences because I spend my days watching Netflix at home, that's all (laughs). Afterwards, at Le Havre, when I go out to eat, nobody speaks English or Japanese. It's difficult to communicate.

Are you taking French lessons?

I had done it alone with Duolingo (online language learning app). But it didn't accept my pronunciation; it must have been very bad. (laughs) Every time, there was a red cross! I stopped. If I take lessons with a teacher...