AFC Awards
The 25-year-old became the 19th winner of the award on her first nomination and the sixth Japanese recipient—the most of any Member Association—after Homare Sawa (2004, 2008), Natsuko Hara (2005), Aya Miyama (2011, 2012, 2015), Saki Kumagai (2019) and Kiko Seike (2023).
“I am deeply honoured to have been awarded the AFC Women's Player of the Year, and it is tremendously encouraging to have my efforts from last season recognised,” Takahashi, who was unable to be in attendance, said via a video message.
“With the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ coming up next year, my immediate focus is to work hard to earn selection for the Japan women’s national team. For my club, I am determined to give my all to win titles in the domestic league and cup competitions, and to secure qualification for the AFC Women’s Champions League™.
“I aim to deliver strong results for both the national team and my club, striving to help elevate women's football across Asia.”
Takahashi, who fended off competition from Australia’s Holly McNamara and China PR’s Wang Shuang, enjoyed a prolific campaign as she adapted to a more attacking role.
Usually a defensive rock for Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies, the academy product scored 12 times across all competitions—seven strikes in the league helped them finish third, while three goals of their four knockout games, including the Final, en-route to a second domestic cup triumph.
In the AFC Women’s Champions League™, Takahashi put away her spot-kick in the shootout but was unable to prevent their exit in the last eight to eventual champions Wuhan Jiangda.
The Kawaguchi native, who was named in the domestic league’s Best Eleven, has also established herself at international level recently. Takahashi, who has five goals in 39 caps, played all five matches in Paris as the Nadeshiko reached the last eight of the Olympic Games and was part of the victorious side at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup – their first-ever success.
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