Ao Tanaka suffered heartbreak on Monday evening after Japan were knocked out of the World Cup by Brazil through an injury-time winner.
Japan went into the break leading 1-0 and looked like they were causing a major upset in the last 32 clash in Houston. However, Casemiro scored the equaliser and Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli netted in injury time to knock the Asian country out.
It was even more heartbreaking for Tanaka when the Leeds United star lost the ball at the edge of the box, leading to Brazil’s winner in the dying minutes of the game.
The Leeds United favourite was visibly devastated at the final whistle and struggled to hide his emotions. As he came to terms with the disappointment, an unlikely figure made his way over to offer Tanaka a few words of comfort and encouragement on the pitch.
Man United star Matheus Cunha consoled Ao Tanaka at the end of the game
Leeds and Manchester United have one of the most hated rivalries in world football, and the Whites’ win at Old Trafford last season was a truly momentous occasion.
Tanaka and Cunha were on the opposing ends again on Monday evening when Japan and Brazil squared off for a place in the last 16 of the World Cup.
Brazil prevailed at the end, and Tanaka’s mistake proved decisive. The Leeds player looked broken at the end of the game and was being consoled by his teammates.
However, it was Cunha who came up, picked up the Leeds player and had an extended conversation with the midfielder to encourage and console him.
El llanto de Ao Tanaka conmovió a todos tras la dolorosa eliminación de la Selección de Japón 🇯🇵💔Neymar y Matheus Cunha, figuras de Brasil, olvidaron los festejos para abrazar y consolar al rival 🇧🇷🥺Este noble gesto demostró el respeto mutuo entre la Canarinha y los Samuráis… pic.twitter.com/bGJHkWzfda
— CENTRO Digital (@radiocentroec) June 30, 2026
The Brazilian kept club rivalries aside and consoled a fellow professional who made the mistake that led to his national team getting knocked out of the World Cup.
Tanaka will find huge support from his Leeds teammates and supporters when he returns for pre-season training in the next few weeks.
However, in Houston, when he felt absolutely broken, a Manchester United man came up and tried to hold him together.
Leeds will look to lend all the support to him over the summer
Ao Tanaka is known to be an emotional player and openly admitted midway through last season that he was not doing enough to prove himself in the Premier League.
He went on to finish the season brilliantly and was pivotal in Leeds’ win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
However, the Japan midfielder will need all the support from his teammates and the organisation when he returns from his post-World Cup break.
His mistake on the biggest stage led to Japan’s defeat and going by the scenes after the game, it would take some time for him to get over the loss.
He will need good people around him to cheer him up and help the midfielder mentally to prepare for the new season at Leeds.
