Career Step Vienna: Meguru Odagaki Ready for the Next Step
Meguru “Megi” Odagaki has already gone through several major game-changing moves in his life—geographically, linguistically, and culturally. Until 2015 he played in Osaka, followed by five years with clubs in Germany before returning to Japan. Since 2025, the 28-year-old Japanese player has been back in Europe. On January 14 of this year, Vienna signed him. In this interview, Megi talks about what motivates him, how he experiences life in Austria, and how he looks at his future.
Megi, to start with: What is your personal motivation for playing football?
- I started playing football in Japan when I was four years old, and since my youth I’ve lived for this sport. As a Japanese person, I of course also practiced judo, but it never really appealed to me as a sport. Moving to Vienna is an important step in my career. The training here is much more intense than what I experienced previously in the Regionalliga, and that alone motivates me to give my best every single day.
Is football played differently in Japan than in Europe?
- Yes, definitely. In Japan, the game is more focused on possession and width. The idea is to keep the ball within your own team for as long as possible. In Austria—and in Europe in general—the focus is more on direct attacking play and scoring goals. Nevertheless, Japan is a very successful football nation. The national team has won the Asian championship several times and was the first team to qualify for this year’s World Cup.
You have been living in Austria for more than a year now. What do you appreciate most about the country?
- Many things. The people here are much more open and friendly toward me than what I experienced in Germany. People often talk to me and I can feel that they are genuinely interested in me. In Germany I was mostly on my own—it was almost entirely about football. Here I’m often invited somewhere, and after training I sometimes go out for a drink with my teammates. Vienna is a beautiful city, and I especially enjoy sitting in a coffeehouse.
What don’t you like at all? What annoys you?
- In my private life I don’t like it when things are loud and people shout. I prefer a calm environment, and I definitely don’t like being shouted at. On the football field, however, it’s different. There I love it when the fans create a great atmosphere and are loud. That’s simply part of the game.
How do you get along with the food in Austria?
- Pretty well. As a Japanese person I prefer to eat rice and sometimes sushi (laughs), but not every day. Vienna has many Asian restaurants, although the quality doesn’t quite reach the level I know from Japan. Still, Austrian cuisine also has a lot to offer. For example, I really enjoy eating goulash soup.
What is the bravest thing you have ever done?
- Moving from Japan to Europe alone at the age of 19 to play football. I spent five years in Germany, had to learn a new language, and adapt to a completely different culture. That was definitely a brave step.
You later returned to Japan. How did your career continue there?
- At the beginning of the COVID pandemic I returned to Japan. In the first year I played for Gainare Tottori. After that I got injured and was without a club for a year. In the third year I played for Okinawa SV before being referred to FavAC in Vienna. Now I’m in my second year in Austria and have been with Vienna since January.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- My greatest strength is my technique. I’m a creative player and feel most comfortable in midfield. The number 10 position is my favorite role. My weakness is related to my height. At 1.65 meters I’m not exactly a specialist in aerial duels. I also want to become more efficient in finishing. Having three chances and scoring only one goal is not enough for me.
How do you see your future in football?
- In the short term, I want to establish myself at Vienna and help ensure that the spring season goes better than the autumn one. Ninth place in the table does not reflect the real level of the team. What comes after that remains to be seen. In my private life things are going very well, as my girlfriend has now moved from Japan to Austria. At the moment we still live in Traiskirchen, but we hope to move to Vienna soon.
