In his first year as Kawasaki Frontale’s captain, Kobayashi led the team to their first J1 League title with 23 goals. In doing so he became just the sixth player to win the J.League’s MVP and Golden Boot awards in the same season, a feat last accomplished in 2012 by then-Sanfrecce Hiroshima star Hisato Sato.
This veteran line-breaker can play on the flanks, giving club manager Toru Oniki and national team coach Vahid Halilhodzic more tactical options. After scoring his first international goal in the EAFF E-1 Championship, it seems increasingly likely that he represent the Samurai Blue in Russia.
