Pipi (footballer, born 2003)

Takuhiro Nakai (中井 卓大, Nakai Takuhiro, born 24 October 2003), known in Spain as Pipi, is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for Rayo Majadahonda, on loan from La Liga club Real Madrid and the Japan national team.[1]

Pipi
Personal information
Full name Takuhiro Nakai
Date of birth (2003-10-24) 24 October 2003
Place of birth Ōtsu, Shiga, Japan
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Rayo Majadahonda (on loan from Real Madrid B)
Number 16
Youth career
2008–2014 Azul Shiga
2014–2022 Real Madrid
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Real Madrid B 2 (0)
2023– → Rayo Majadahonda (loan) 5 (0)
International career‡
2018 Japan U16 3 (0)
2022 Japan U20 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 October 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18:44, 6 August 2023 (UTC)

Club career

Pipi was born in Shiga, Japan, and was spotted by Spanish giants Real Madrid while playing in one of their training camps in Japan. He was invited for a trial in Spain and impressed enough to sign a contract in 2014.[2][3] Prior to his move to Spain, Pipi had been playing for Azul Shiga.[1] After Real Madrid was sanctioned heavily in 2016 by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), it was Nakai's mother who offered testimony that prevented Madrid from suffering further punishment. Her testimony also meant that her son would avoid punishment, as his move to Madrid had been under investigation by the CAS.[3][4]

In October 2020, Pipi was called up to train with the Real Madrid senior squad for the first time.[5][6][7] He was seen as one of Real Madrid's best prospects, [8][9] and was named in English newspaper The Guardian's "Next Generation 2021", highlighting the best players born in 2003 worldwide.[10]

In February 2022, Pipi signed a contract extension with Real Madrid until 2025. Ahead of the 2022–23 season, Pipi was promoted to Real Madrid Castilla from the club's under-19 side.[11] Pipi made his debut for Castilla on September 25, 2022, coming on as a substitute in a 3–1 victory over CD Badajoz.

International career

Pipi was called up for the Japan under-16 side in 2018.[12] He featured in three friendly games for the under-16 side, before going on to make two appearances at under-20 level in 2022.[13]

Career statistics
As of 8 October 2023.[14]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Real Madrid U19 2021–22 — 2[lower-alpha 1] 0 2 0
Real Madrid Castilla 2022–23 Primera Federación 20—0020
Rayo Majadahonda (loan) 2023–24 Primera Federación 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Career total 70002090
  1. Appearances in UEFA Youth League

References
  1. "Nakai". realmadrid.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  2. "Real Madrid Sign 9-Year-Old Wonderkid Takuhiro Nakai; Watch 'Pipi' Play". Bleacher Report. 9 October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  3. "'Pipi' Nakai, el nuevo diamante del Madrid que comparte agente con Bale" ['Pipi' Nakai, Madrid's new diamond who shares an agent with Bale]. elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). 15 October 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  4. "Pipi, de salvar al Real Madrid a entrenar con Zidane" [Pipi, from saving Real Madrid to training with Zidane]. mundodeportivo.com (in Spanish). 13 October 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  5. "Real Madrid: Pipi, pride and joy of 'La Fábrica' called up by Zidane". en.as.com. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  6. "Real Madrid Japanese teen Takuhiro Nakai enjoys senior team training call". tribalfootball.com. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  7. "Real Madrid : Takuhiro Nakai, L'autre Prodige Nippon des Merengue" [Real Madrid: Takuhiro Nakai, The Other Japanese Prodigy of The Merengue]. onzemondial.com (in French). 13 October 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  8. "¿Quién es el japonés Pipi, el juvenil al que ha citado Zidane?" [Who is the Japanese Pipi, the youth that Zidane has mentioned?]. as.com (in Spanish). 12 October 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  9. "Pipi: The Japanese prodigy training with Real Madrid's first team". marca.com. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  10. Christenson, Marcus; Powell, Jim; Blight, Garry (8 October 2020). "Next Generation 2020: 60 of the best young talents in world football". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  11. "Soccer: 18-yr-old Takuhiro Nakai extends Real Madrid contract until 2025". Mainichi Daily News. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  12. "日本天才中井卓大将满16 有望与皇马签职业合同" [Japanese genius Takuru Nakai is expected to sign a professional contract with Real Madrid at 16]. sports.sina.com (in Chinese). 23 October 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  13. Pipi at WorldFootball.net
  14. Pipi at Soccerway
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