David Villa says it will not be lengthy earlier than Japan win the World Cup in the event that they maintain producing gamers like Kyogo.
In the intervening time, although, the Spain legend says he is simply buzzing to see his former teammate making a reputation for himself at Celtic.
The 2 hitmen have been as soon as a formidable pairing for Vissel Kobe scoring 25 J-League targets between them in 2019.
Since then Barcelona legend Villa has hung up his boots and is now head of World Soccer Operations at Indian membership Odisha FC.
Kyogo in the meantime has gone onto Celtic the place he has change into an on the spot hero.
Spain will play towards Kyogo's Japan aspect on this yr's World Cup in Qatar and Villa expects the Hoops ace to have a huge impact each now and sooner or later.
Signal as much as our Document Celtic e-newsletter
Get all the most recent Celtic information despatched straight to your Inbox daily by signing as much as our e-newsletter.
We cowl each morsel of knowledge relating to your favorite membership within the type of articles, movies and podcasts.
The e-newsletter will arrive daily at 12pm, supplying you with a spherical up of the very best tales we have coated that within the final 24 hours.
To enroll, merely enter your electronic mail deal with into the hyperlink right here.
And in the event you aren't already, be sure you be part of the dialog over on our Celtic Fb group and Document Sport Instagram.
Villa stated: "I'm very completely happy that Kyogo Furuhashi has been successful at Celtic.
"It was essential for him and different Japanese gamers to go abroad and expertise a special model of soccer and life-style and be taught new languages.
"His recreation has improved lots already.
"I positively consider it is attainable that Japan will win the World Cup in the future. I believe the Japanese soccer authorities deserve nice credit score as a result of they have an surroundings now the place they're producing prime gamers.
"In addition to Kyogo, Japan has youthful guys like Kaoru Mitoma and Takefusa Kubo who're going to be nice gamers.
"Maybe Japan lacks an actual striker, however many nations have the identical drawback.
"However actually whenever you have a look at how a lot Japan are bettering, it will not be too lengthy earlier than they are often World Cup contenders."