We are pleased to announce that Takashi Usami has been selected as the October winner of the "2024 Meiji Yasuda J.LEAGUE KONAMI Monthly MVP," which recognizes the most Takashi USAMI player in each Meiji Yasuda J.LEAGUE month, and the "2024 Meiji Yasuda J.LEAGUE Monthly Best Goal," which recognizes the most outstanding goal.

"2024 Meiji Yasuda J.LEAGUE KONAMI Monthly MVP"
<Reasons for selection>
Chairman Adachi Osamu: "He has been highly praised throughout the year. GAMBA OSAKA has been revived thanks to his efforts."
JFA Technical Committee Member: "The goal you scored in the Sapporo match was impressive because it was not just a technical achievement, but also carried the backstory and the feelings of the supporters."
Tomoaki MAKINO, member of the committee: "Sapporo, who were in a position to stay, were playing a very good game, and the goal from the penalty kick and dribble at the end was dramatic. It was such an exciting play that he said, 'It was the first time in my soccer career that I couldn't sleep after a game,' and he scored a goal in such a situation."
Committee member Satoshi Hojo: "A star player who made a huge impact on Gamba. With the two goals that led to a come-from-behind victory in the match against Sapporo and the assist that led to the final win against Nagoya, he performed as expected of an absolute ace."
GAKU-MC Special Committee Member: "One of the things he was praised for was the memorable goal he scored, his 99th goal (J1 and J2 combined), which is the most on the team."

<Comment from Takashi USAMI>
"Thank you for selecting me as the Monthly MVP. To be honest, I'm not sure if I deserve this, but I think the impression I got from the Sapporo match was huge. After losing the Osaka Derby and hitting rock bottom, I had a strong desire to somehow lift the team up in the next match against Sapporo, and that was one of the big factors that drew the opportunity to me. By scoring there, the team's condition improved, so I'm glad we were able to win that match. Right now, I think the team is in a good state, and we're fired up mentally, so I want to keep that up and keep going until the end of the season. We want to stay as high in the league as possible, and we also have a chance to win the EMPEROR'S CUP's Cup, so I want to work hard as a team to make sure we win it."

"2024 Meiji Yasuda J.LEAGUE Goal of the Month"

33rd Sec., Saturday, October 5th, GAMBA OSAKA vs. Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo(Panasonic Stadium Suita) 90+8th minute goals

<Reasons for selection>
JFA Technical Committee member: "I think it's a way to dodge that shows you can see the sliding coming. It's difficult to turn diagonally backwards while moving forward. The lightness of the stop and acceleration is good."
Tomoaki MAKINO: "His touch after cutting back was exquisitely skillful. Usually, this is a situation where the touch is not good and the ball is taken by the opponent, but he cut back in a short time and took the shot firmly on target, showing great technique."
Committee member Hojo Satoshi: "A great goal only a genius could pull off. He coldly observed the opponent's movements in the penalty box, and created the time and space to shoot. A masterpiece in which hot technique and cool judgment are closely linked."
Special Committee Member Karina Maruyama: "It was extra time and we absolutely needed to score, but instead of rushing and trying to shoot forcefully, he looked at his opponent, dodged, turned around and shot, which was impressive. I was impressed once again by how great a player he is at turning and shooting with his feet."

<Comment from Takashi USAMI>
"Thank you for selecting me for Goal of the Month.
Personally, I don't think it was that difficult to score a goal, but I think people appreciated the team's situation, the atmosphere in the stadium, and the way we were able to create a moment when everyone's emotions exploded. When the goal was scored, there was a sound that was almost like an explosion, and I thought it was a moment when the emotions of everyone - the people who came to the game, the players who were playing, the players on the bench, and the coaching staff - exploded.