Japanese star Keisuke Honda has revealed he considered retiring from football after the recent FIFA World Cup before the chance to play with Melbourne Victory “changed” his mind.
Victory’s new marquee man was unveiled at a packed press conference in Melbourne on Wednesday and declared he was excited about getting down to work with the Hyundai A-League champions.
The 32-year-old, who has played 98 times and scored 37 goals for the Samurai Blue, also spoke about how he’s looking forward to settling in Australia and also touched on his role as coach of the Cambodian national team.
READ: Star signing Honda arrives in Melbourne
READ: Victory's Honda lands new job with Cambodia
MARQUEE SIGNING: Honda to light up Hyundai A-League as Victory land mega marquee
While Honda retired from international football following the World Cup in Russia, he was close to calling it quits altogether before interest from Victory convinced him to keep playing.
“I’m so happy to be here. I’m so glad that I can try a new challenge in my career,” Honda told reporters at AAMI Park.
“I'm 32 years old. I was thinking to quit my career after the World Cup. But luckily this club [gave] me a great offer which has changed my career.
“I changed my mind after I spoke to the club. Kevin [coach Kevin Muscat] said to me that he really wants to succeed as a club. He's an ambitious person, and so am I so I'm really inspired by him.”
“I changed my mind after I spoke to the club. Kevin [coach Kevin Muscat] said to me that he really wants to succeed as a club. He's an ambitious person, and so am I so I'm really inspired by him”
FROM MOSCOW TO MILAN: Victory marquee Honda's road to stardom
ADP TO 'GOD' HIMSELF: History of Hyundai A-League's international marquees
WHEN AND WHERE: How and when to watch Honda play this season
