World Cup stars of the Bundesliga: Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Shuto Machino
Replacing Liverpool and former VfB Stuttgart midfielder Wataru Endo, who has withdrawn from Japan’s FIFA World Cup 2026 squad due to injury, Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Shuto Machino offers his country a versatile attacking threat.
Name: Shuto Machino
Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach
Nation: Japan
International debut: 19 July 2022
Caps: 14
International goals: Five
Stats correct as of 12 June 2026
How was his 2025/26 season?
Machino’s 11 goals in 32 Bundesliga appearances for Holstein Kiel in 2024/25 earned the Japanese forward a move to Gladbach last summer. Missing a chunk of pre-season with a calf injury, Machino netted in the DFB Cup and notched three goals and provided one assist in 32 league games as the Foals avoided relegation under Eugen Polanski.
What he brings to the national team
A replacement for Yuta Nakayama at the 2022 World Cup, Machino again finds himself on the world stage with a late inclusion into Hajime Moriyasu’s 26-man squad. Possessing a strong physical presence in the final third and a willingness to press from the front, the 26-year-old has an eye for goal while being equally adept at dropping deeper when required to bring teammates into play.
What his coaches say
“He joined us late and immediately had to contend with an injury, meaning he had practically no pre-season training. In his career, his second year has usually been better than the first. That's exactly what we want to build on now.” - Gladbach head coach Eugen Polanski
“Shuto is a true goalscorer with a great finish, both with his right foot, his left foot, and with his head. He also has the right instinct to score in the box. Furthermore, his mentality is that of an absolute team player." - Former Holstein Kiel head coach Marcel Rapp
