[REVISION HISTORY]

Takefusa Kubo recovery and La Liga return at Real Sociedad

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2026-09-08 09:43 UTC → 2026-09-12 03:08 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

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