Hard work paying off for Werder Bremen goalkeeper Mio Backhaus
Born in Mönchengladbach but raised in Kawasaki, Japan, Werder Bremen goalkeeper Mio Backhaus boasts a fascinating backstory that merits telling from the man himself.
In a conversation with the Bundesliga, the recent Germany U21 debutant gave plenty of insight into his rise to senior prominance at Werder and addressed the question of where his future allegiance might lie on the international front...
Tell us about those early years between Germany and Japan...
Mio Backhaus: "I was born in Mönchengladbach, but our parents moved to Japan when I was about one year old. My sister was born in Japan in 2006, so we must have moved to Japan sometime before then. We have never really spoken about [the exact reasons for the move] and I'm sure it’s quite an interesting story. I think my parents like Japan very much."
Was it because your mum is a musician and wanted to live and play in Japan?
Backhaus: "That could be the case. I know that both of them really wanted to live in Japan and they still live there now. It’s been their favourite place for over 20 years."
What memories do you have of your years in Japan?
"We lived in a city called Kawasaki, which is between Tokyo and Yokohama. We lived in the middle of the metropolis and when you grow up somewhere like that, it does not seem that special. There is a lot going on in the city and I have great memories of it because that was my life back then.
"You only think about the special times and how special Japan is as a country when you are not living there anymore. I still have a lot of connections there, whether it be family, friends, or past teachers. I am always happy when I can go back."
What exactly makes Japan so special?
Backhaus: "You cannot compare it to any other country in the world. The people are so polite and punctual, and there is so much traffic in the whole city. Nevertheless, you have places where it is still very peaceful and you do not talk, such as around Mount Fuji where the nature is so beautiful. You have everything in one place and it’s such a lovely country.”
Why did you return to Germany, and at what age did you do so?
Backhaus: "I moved back at the age of 13 because our parents always gave us the option of moving to Germany if we wanted to. All of my siblings spent six months in Germany during the fourth grade, so we all developed a strong connection to our grandparents.
"At some point, my parents told me that if it was my dream to live in Germany, then I should go and do it. This is how it transpired and I was lucky to have grandparents who took me in like their own children, and I am very grateful to them."
How did it feel to leave your parents at such a young age? Were you not afraid?
Backhaus: "It was not easy without my parents, but my grandparents looked after me. We were always in Germany in the summer holidays and it was a dream for me to live there. It was the right decision for me.
"I can imagine that it was not an easy decision for [my folks], but they have always supported me in everything I have done. They have always prioritised my wishes and I am very grateful to them for that."
There is another Japanese player at Werder in Yukinari Sugawara. How close are you both on and off the pitch?
Backhaus: "It's a close relationship and we sit next to each other in the dressing room, which I think they did on purpose. We speak to each other in Japanese and he really helps me here because he makes me feel even more welcome than I felt before. I often go to his house and we eat something together or do something together, so I would say our connection is pretty tight."
Which current or former Japanese teammates do you still keep in regular contact with?
Backhaus: “I am still in contact with Kōta Takai, whom I played with at Kawasaki Frontale and who now plays for Tottenham [Hotspur]. It’s cool that we both come from the same youth team and we are both now playing at different clubs in Europe. We had a good friendship before and we still have a strong connection now."
In Japan, you played for Kawasaki Frontale, but not always as a goalkeeper, right?
Backhaus: "I started my career as a left winger, but I was already playing in goal at Kawasaki Frontale. I sometimes was allowed to play out of goal if I had hurt my hand, so I think I have them to thank that I can play well with my feet."
Who are your footballing role models?
Backhaus: "I always watched [former Werder goalkeeper Jiří] Pavlenka, so he was my role model. Aside from him, Manuel Neuer has always been a role model; those are my two idols."
How happy was your family in Japan about your recent Bundesliga debut?
Backhaus: "I don’t think they knew too much about the turbulent times we had before the start of the season, so I think it was quite sudden for them to see me starting in goal. A lot of them were quite surprised and only learned about it after the game, but they were all very happy."
What memories do you have of 23rd August 2025, your first match as Werder Bremen's number one?
Backhaus: "To be honest, the memories of the day are not that great because we lost the game and I was very frustrated that I was not able to help the team.
"I was fully focused on the game. Of course, I was nervous and I think that will remain the case ahead of every game, but maybe I was particularly nervous before this one. I was able to sleep well before the game, which is something I am able to do ahead of each match, and I put my phone away early because I knew it would just be a distraction, and then I just tried to focus on the game."
You recently made your debut for Germany's U21s. What did that mean to you?
Backhaus: "It made me proud and I hope that I am able to celebrate one more debut at some point.
That U21 bow came after becoming Werder's first-choice goalkeeper. How have you found these eventful last few weeks and months?
Backhaus: "It has been a lot. The good thing is that these things happen on the pitch and stay on the pitch, and I am able to shut the rest of it out, at least for the time that I am on the pitch myself. Sometimes you do think about things, but I have never lost focus during games and this will hopefully remain the case."
At the moment, you are still eligible to play senior international football for Japan. Looking ahead to the World Cup, which way are you leaning in terms of Germany or Japan?
Backhaus: "I am not leaning either way for the World Cup because I don’t think that plays a role for me. To be honest, I am not leaning either way for what happens after that. I have to take a bit of time to make that decision because I am not sure yet."
Finally, what does it mean to you to be the first-choice goalkeeper at Werder?
Backhaus: "It’s even more special that it’s Werder Bremen because it’s the club that I have been at now for seven or eight years and where I have spent a large portion of my life. I am very grateful to a lot of people here who have helped me to develop and that is what is special about this place.
"It is very special for me to play for the club that holds such a significant place in my heart. I have been able to fulfil my dream here, but there are more dreams to come and that is what makes it so special here."
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