# Takefusa Kubo recovery and La Liga return at Real Sociedad > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/takefusa-kubo-recovery-at-real-sociedad > Updated: 2026-09-10T20:00:00.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 8. Japanese midfielder Takefusa Kubo, who suffered a left‑knee injury in the 2024 World Cup opener, rejoined Real Sociedad in late July 2026. After undergoing rehabilitation and individual training, Kubo returned to competitive action as a substitute in a pre-season friendly against FC Köln. He has since featured in pre-season preparations, including a match against Chelsea, as he worked toward regaining his status as a key player under manager Pellegrino Matarazzo. Kubo made his competitive start for the 2026/27 La Liga season on 20 August in the opener against Real Betis at Estadio La Cartuja. Playing in a right side-half position, he showed flashes of individual skill before being substituted in the 58th minute for Mikel Oyarzabal. Real Sociedad lost the match 0-1, with Riquelme scoring the decisive goal in the 63rd minute. On 7 September, during a Matchday 4 fixture against Elche CF, Kubo remained on the bench for the entire match, marking his first game this season without playing any minutes. Real Sociedad secured a 3-2 victory, fueled by a standout performance from Kenyan forward Job Ochieng, who recorded one goal and two assists. Following the match, Matarazzo addressed Kubo’s form, noting that the player is “not yet at his peak level” but expressed confidence in his ability to make progress. Following the Elche match, reports from Spanish media outlets, including Mundo Deportivo and AS, indicate that Kubo’s status as a regular starter is under threat. Due to a dip in form and a lack of goal contributions or assists, Kubo faces increased competition for his position. Analysts suggest that unless he regains his clinical edge and ability to break through defenses, he may be relegated to a substitute role. ## Claims - Real Sociedad lost 0-1 to Real Betis in their first La Liga match of the 2026/27 season. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Takefusa Kubo started the match as a right side midfielder. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Kubo was substituted in the 58th minute for Mikel Oyarzabal. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Riquelme scored the winning goal with a volley in the 63rd minute. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The match was played at Estadio La Cartuja. (single source) - Real Sociedad's next match is against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-10: Takefusa Kubo faces competition for Real Sociedad starting role Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo faces a threat to his starting position following a dip in form and a standout performance by substitute Jobe Otieng. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/takefusa-kubo-faces-competition-for-real-sociedad-starting-role ### 2026-09-08: Real Sociedad defeats Elche as Takefusa Kubo remains unused Takefusa Kubo failed to see any playing time as Real Sociedad defeated Elche 3-2, while newcomer Job Ochieng starred with a goal and two assists. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/real-sociedad-defeats-elche-as-takefusa-kubo-remains-unused ### 2026-08-20: Takefusa Kubo starts as Real Sociedad loses 0-1 to Real Betis Takefusa Kubo started for Real Sociedad in their La Liga season opener, but the team suffered a 0-1 loss to Real Betis after a 63rd-minute goal by Riquelme. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/takefusa-kubo-starts-as-real-sociedad-loses-0-1-to-real-betis ### 2026-08-16: Takefusa Kubo aims to reclaim status at Real Sociedad Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo aims to reclaim his starting role in La Liga following injury, drawing fan attention during pre-season matches in the club's new red third kit. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/takefusa-kubo-aims-to-reclaim-status-at-real-sociedad ### 2026-08-08: Spanish football players Loureiro and Kubo return to action Miguel Loureiro and David Mella have returned to training for Deportivo, while Take Kubo has made his preseason return with Real Sociedad following injury recovery. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-football-players-loureiro-and-kubo-return-to-action ### 2026-08-07: Takefusa Kubo returns to action for Real Sociedad after World Cup injury Japan international Takefusa Kubo returned to action for Real Sociedad, playing 30 minutes in a pre-season friendly against 1. FC Köln after recovering from a left knee injury sustained at the World Cup. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/takefusa-kubo-returns-to-action-for-real-sociedad ### 2026-07-26: Takefusa Kubo to return to action after knee injury recovery Takefusa Kubo, Japan’s midfielder, misses two pre‑season games while recovering from a World Cup knee injury but has rejoined most Real Sociedad training and may play in the August 1 Toulouse friendly. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/takefusa-kubo-to-return-to-action-after-knee-injury-recovery ### 2026-07-24: Kubo Takehiro Returns to Real Sociedad, Skips UK Preseason Matches Japan’s Kubo Takehiro, sidelined by a World Cup knee injury, rejoined Real Sociedad for their UK preseason tour but will sit out the Wolverhampton and Aston Villa friendlies as he continues rehab. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kubo-takehiro-returns-to-real-sociedad-skips-uk-preseason-matches --- Cite as: Takefusa Kubo recovery and La Liga return at Real Sociedad. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/takefusa-kubo-recovery-at-real-sociedad