Daizen Maeda’s FIFA World Cup hopes have come to an end after Brazil came from behind to beat Japan. The Celtic forward played 90 minutes and it looked as if the game would need extra time to determine who would reach the Last 16. With the whistle beckoning, Carlo Ancelotti’s side nicked it through Martinelli.
It is disappointment for Japan, who looked the better team in the first half but the five-time World Cup winners proved to be too strong. Ancelotti made changes at the break and he was rewarded with goals from Casemiro and the Arsenal winger.
Maeda, who scored the goal to take Japan to the knockout rounds, will now spend some time recuperating after a long, hard season for Celtic and Japan.
It remains to be seen whether he will be in the Hoops next season. Maeda will likely attract interest from across Europe but hinted that he could remain at Celtic. Martin O’Neill will be keen to resolve the future of his star man, who was instrumental in delivering the league and Scottish Cup double.
At 28, Maeda will be eager to turnout at the next World Cup in Morocco, Spain and Portugal in 2030. With a year remaining on his deal, it makes sense for Celtic to sell Maeda this summer while his stock is high, especially considering they could lose him for free next year.
Since arriving from Yokohama F Marinos, Maeda has scored 79 goals and assisted 38 times in 212 appearances. He has been an excellent signing and he has become a Celtic cult hero, especially after his heroics in the title run-in last month.
