Makoto Hasebe

In 2015, Hasebe played in the 2015 Asian Cup. Although he played full-time in all four matches, Japan was eliminated in the quarter-finals. Due to injuries, he could hardly play in 2017. In 2018, he was in the 2018 World Cup squad. He played all four matches as defensive midfielder with Gaku Shibasaki and Japan qualified to the knockout stage. After the World Cup, he retired from Japan national team. He played 114 games and scored 2 goals for Japan until 2018.

On 1 July 2014, Hasebe signed a two-year contract with Eintracht Frankfurt.

On 2 September 2013, Hasebe signed a three-year contract with 1. FC Nürnberg.

On 17 September 2011, Hasebe played in goal for the final nine minutes of an away match against 1899 Hoffenheim. Wolfsburg lost the match 3–1, with Hasebe conceding Hoffenheim's third goal on 85 minutes. On 3 December 2011, he played his 100th Bundesliga match against 1. FSV Mainz 05.

On 29 April 2010, it was announced that Hasebe extended his contract with Wolfsburg until 2012.

Hasebe was the onfield captain in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, as Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi was the reserve third string goalkeeper, and was captain in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. He captained the team for three World Cup campaigns, until he announced his international retirement after Japan lost 3–2 against Belgium in the Round of 16 of 2018 FIFA World Cup. At the 2010 World Cup, Hasebe played all four matches and Japan qualified to the knockout stage.

After the 2010 World Cup, Hasebe also served as a captain under new manager Alberto Zaccheroni. In 2011, Japan won the champions in 2011 Asian Cup. He played all six matches and scored a goal against Syria. From late 2013, Hasebe played as defensive midfielder with Hotaru Yamaguchi instead of Endo. In 2014, he played three matches in the 2014 World Cup. However, Japan was eliminated in the group stage.

However, he signed for Bundesliga side Wolfsburg becoming the first Japanese player ever to play for the Wolves. In 2009, he became the second Japanese player to win the Bundesliga title.

It was reported in October 2007 that Italian Serie A side A.C. Siena was keen to sign Hasebe the following January.

Hasebe made his senior national team debut under manager Zico on 11 February 2006, in a friendly match against the USA at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Although he played three matches under Zico, He was not selected for the 2006 World Cup.

After 2006 World Cup, Hasebe was capped for Japan under new manager Ivica Osim soon. Although he played three matches under Osim in 2006, he could not play at all in 2007. Osim suffered a stroke in November 2007 and Takeshi Okada became a new manager in December. In May 2008, Hasebe played for Japan against Ivory Coast for the first time in one and a half a year. After that, he became a regular player and played many matches as defensive midfielder with Yasuhito Endo.

After graduating from Fujieda Higashi High School in 2002, he joined Urawa Reds. He became a regular of their first team in the 2003 season. He played mainly as defensive midfielder with Keita Suzuki. In 2004, he was honoured with the J.League Cup New Hero Award and selected as a member of J.League team of the year. He was also the Urawa Fans' Player of the Year that season. The Reds won the championship in the 2006 J1 League for the first time in the club history and the first Asian title of the 2007 AFC Champions League.

Makoto Hasebe (長谷部 誠 , Hasebe Makoto, born 18 January 1984) is a Japanese football player. He is a defensive midfielder who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt. He played for Japan national team for which he served as captain.