Keisuke Honda - All Goals for AC Milan
Keisuke Honda - All Goals for AC Milan
Keisuke Honda's arrival at AC Milan in January 2014 was highly anticipated, a free transfer from CSKA Moscow. As the first Japanese player to join the illustrious Rossoneri, he was immediately handed the iconic number 10 shirt, a symbol of creative responsibility and historical significance at the club. This move represented a dream come true for Honda, who had long expressed his ambition to play in Serie A, and fans hoped he would inject much-needed flair and leadership into a Milan side that was experiencing a period of decline.
His initial half-season in 2013-2014 saw him make 14 Serie A appearances, scoring just one goal. While he did net on his full debut in the Coppa Italia against Spezia, his overall contribution was considered somewhat disappointing by many, and he himself admitted that his performances weren't up to his own high standards. This period was also characterized by managerial changes, with Massimiliano Allegri being replaced by Clarence Seedorf, which often makes it difficult for new players to settle.
The 2014-2015 season, under new manager Filippo Inzaghi, started promisingly for Honda. He enjoyed a purple patch in the early part of the campaign, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 29 Serie A appearances. This included a memorable start where he scored Milan's first goal of the season against Lazio in a 3-1 win, and a brace against Verona. He frequently featured as a right winger, showcasing his powerful left-footed shots, accurate free-kicks, and dribbling skills. However, as the team's form dipped, so too did Honda's consistent impact, with Milan finishing a disappointing 10th in the league.
Subsequent seasons saw a decrease in his playing time and influence. Under Siniša Mihajlović in 2015-2016, Honda made 30 Serie A appearances but only managed one goal and three assists. While he was often played as an inside forward on the right of a 4-4-2 formation, which was arguably his best season in terms of consistent starts, his goal contributions were limited. The overall instability at the club, with frequent managerial changes and a squad in transition, made it challenging for any player to truly thrive.
By the 2016-2017 season, his final year at the club, Honda found himself on the fringes of the squad, making only eight Serie A appearances and scoring one goal. This goal, a crucial free-kick against Bologna in May 2017, helped Milan secure qualification for the Europa League for the first time since the 2013-2014 season. It was a fitting, albeit small, moment of personal brilliance in what was often a challenging period for him at the club.
Despite the individual ups and downs, Keisuke Honda's time at AC Milan included one significant team trophy: the Supercoppa Italiana in 2016, where Milan defeated Juventus on penalties. While his tenure may not have reached the heights some had hoped for given his talent and the number 10 shirt, he remained a professional and dedicated figure, known for his relentless work ethic and commitment even when not a regular starter. His 92 appearances and 11 goals for Milan across all competitions represent a unique chapter in his global career and AC Milan's history.