The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has begun. Ritsu Doan, who wears the number 10 jersey for the Japanese national team, was a key player in the previous tournament in Qatar, scoring goals against Germany and Spain. His strong mental fortitude and undeniable skill as he heads into his second World Cup are also reflected in his discerning eye as one of the world's leading watch collectors. He has been seen wearing Hublot's flagship model, the Big Bang Unico, on his Instagram many times.
Text by Yukako Numamoto
Edited by: Takashi Tsuchida
Edited by Takashi Tsuchida
[Article published on January 14, 2026]
Second attempt at the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has finally begun, with the United States, Canada, and Mexico joining forces for the first time in history to co-host the tournament. With the number of participating countries expanding from 32 to 48, the tournament is the largest in history, and expectations for the Japanese national team, which is being hailed as the strongest ever, are higher than ever. At the heart of this Japanese team is Ritsu Doan, a versatile left-footed player who is an indispensable presence. He currently plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga and is well-known for his competitive spirit and aggressive attacking style.
At the previous 2022 Qatar World Cup, Doan scored against two powerhouses, Germany and Spain, in the group stage, becoming one of the key players in a historic victory. In the match against Germany, he entered the pitch in the 71st minute with the strong feeling of "I'll score. I'm the only one who can do it!", and true to his word, he scored the equalizer, shifting the momentum towards a come-from-behind victory. In the Round of 16 against Croatia, the runners-up in the 2018 tournament, he put up an even fight, creating the opportunity for the opening goal, but was unfortunately defeated in a penalty shootout. After the match, he declared, "Honestly, it's meaningless if we can't change history," and his words revealed Doan's unwavering determination.
Fueled by the disappointment of their previous experience in Qatar, the Japanese national team's motto for this tournament is "the best view." Wearing the coveted number 10 jersey, Doan said, "I am proud to be able to compete on the World Cup stage once again as a member of this team. I am ready for the challenge that is about to begin. Let's make history together." He also declared emphatically, "My goal is not just to wear the number 10 jersey and stand on the pitch. I believe my goal is to win the championship." Every word he spoke conveyed a sense of responsibility and determination far greater than before.
Using disappointment as motivation, I'll head to the world stage.
Where did Ritsu Doan develop the strong mental fortitude that remains unshaken even on the biggest stages? Ritsu Doan was born on June 16, 1998, in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture. In his childhood, he played for Urakaze FC Junior and Nishinomiya SS, and in the fourth grade of elementary school while at Nishinomiya SS, he tried out for Cerezo Osaka in search of a higher level of competition, but was unsuccessful. That disappointment remained vivid in his mind even as an adult, and in interviews he has said that he has decided "even if I become a player who receives an offer from Cerezo, I will refuse it in one second." In fact, when he entered junior high school, he received an offer to join Cerezo's junior youth team, but true to his word, he refused and chose the path to Gamba Osaka Junior Youth.
He transformed his frustrations into motivation, blossoming his talent in Gamba Osaka's youth system and being promoted to the first team in 2016. From 2017, he was loaned to FC Groningen in the Netherlands, and the following season it became a permanent transfer, after which he further honed his skills at PSV Eindhoven. From 2020 onwards, he moved his playing field mainly to Germany, returning to PSV after a season at Arminia Bielefeld. From 2022, he moved to SC Freiburg, and from 2025 he has been with Eintracht Frankfurt. Armed with a powerful long-range shot from his left foot, he has steadily built up his achievements in the fierce competition of the Bundesliga. It is precisely because he never forgets defeats and setbacks that he is able to continue to evolve.
In his private life, he married influencer Miku Akamatsu, also from the Kansai region, in 2024, and held wedding receptions at a hotel in Tokyo and overseas. The wedding veil was embroidered with the phrase "Win Together, Lose Together," which is widely known in the soccer world and has become the couple's motto. After that, their first child was born, and attention is focused on him as a father for the first time at the World Cup. Ritsu Doan is steadily expanding his identity as a person both on and off the pitch. It makes you wonder what kind of watch he is wearing on his wrist now.
Hublot style found on Instagram
If you take a look at Ritsu Doan's Instagram, you'll notice that he's repeatedly seen wearing Hublot watches. He also wears other brands such as Rolex's "Cosmograph Daytona" and Patek Philippe, suggesting he's one of the biggest watch collectors in the soccer world. His devotion to Hublot is particularly striking, and he wears the "Big Bang Unico" series especially often. Let's take a look at three of his posts to see what occasions Doan, also known as a "Hublot friend," chooses to wear this watch.
This candid shot captures him enjoying sushi during a short visit back to Japan. On his wrist, he proudly displays the Hublot "Big Bang Unico Sapphire." This model features a polished, colorless, transparent sapphire crystal covering the entire case and bezel, allowing the complex internal mechanism, composed of 354 parts, to be clearly seen. Its thoroughly simplified structure also ensures robustness, making it a watch that allows you to directly enjoy the intricate mechanism.
Automatic movement (Cal. HUB1280). 43 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. Sapphire crystal case (42mm diameter). Water resistant to 5 bar. Limited to 500 pieces worldwide. Price: 20,834,000 yen (tax included).
This off-camera shot captures a relaxed mood. On his wrist is a Hublot "Big Bang Unico King Gold Ceramic," a luxurious case combining 18K King Gold with a black ceramic bezel that immediately catches the eye. The way the color scheme perfectly matches his outfit for the day conveys Doan's characteristic sense of style, effortlessly incorporating his watch as an integral part of his fashion.
Automatic movement (Cal. HUB1280). 43 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. 18K King Gold case (44mm diameter). Water resistant to 10 bar. Price: 6,171,000 yen (tax included).
In a post expressing his joy at being selected for the Olympic team, he was wearing a Hublot "Big Bang Unico Black & White" watch, which features a striking monochrome contrast. The crisp combination of black and white naturally complements Doan's sporty and sharp style. The fact that he chose the "Big Bang Unico" series for all three of his posts shows his special affection for this collection.
Automatic movement (Cal.HUB1280). 43 jewels. 28,800 vibrations/hour. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. Titanium case (44mm diameter). 10 ATM water resistance. Japan exclusive. 3,003,000 yen (tax included).
What is the "Unico" movement that embodies the soul of Hublot?
The "Big Bang Unico" is one of Hublot's flagship collections. Its name comes from the in-house movement "Unico," which means "unique" in Spanish, and it was completed in 2010 as Hublot's first in-house chronograph movement. Over 300 parts are precisely assembled, and its intricate structure can be admired through the skeleton dial. It boasts a power reserve of approximately 72 hours and high accuracy thanks to its 28,800 vibrations per hour frequency.
The spirit of "First, Unique, Different" flows consistently through all of Hublot's creations, and this philosophy is strongly reflected in the development of "Unico." At the same time, there is a striking overlap between Ritsu Doan's way of life, which is to always strive to be a unique entity with a confident attitude, and Hublot's philosophy of craftsmanship.
Finally, on June 15th, the Japan national team will kick off their first group stage match against the Netherlands at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Japan, placed in Group F, will play three matches, starting with the Netherlands, ranked 7th in the world, followed by Tunisia and Sweden. Ritsu Doan, who has declared with confidence that "our goal is to win the championship," will wear the number 10 jersey, and we eagerly await to see what kind of performance he will deliver as he strives for the "ultimate view." We sincerely hope that this one-of-a-kind left-footed player, who resonates with the spirit of Hublot, will once again carve a new chapter in history on the World Cup stage.
