Moeka Minami

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Moeka Minami
{{nobold|南萌華}}

| image = Supercoppa di calcio femminile 2022, Moeka Minami, festeggiamenti 55 (cropped).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Minami with A.S. Roma in 2022

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|12|7|df=y}}

| birth_place = Yoshikawa, Saitama, Japan

| height = 1.71 m

| position = Centre back

| currentclub = Brighton & Hove Albion

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Yoshikawa White Shark

| youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–2016

| youthclubs2 = Urawa Reds

| years1 = 2017–2022

| clubs1 = Urawa Reds

| caps1 = 68

| goals1 = 3

| years2 = 2022–2025

| clubs2 = Roma

| caps2 = 73

| goals2 = 6

| years3 = 2025–

| clubs3 = Brighton & Hove Albion

| caps3 = 0

| goals3 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2014

| nationalteam1 = Japan U-17

| nationalcaps1 = 1

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2018

| nationalteam2 = Japan U-20

| nationalcaps2 = 6

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2019–

| nationalteam3 = Japan

| nationalcaps3 = 60

| nationalgoals3 = 5

| manageryears1 =

| managerclubs1 =

| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Country|{{Fbw|JPN}}}}

| club-update = 10:16, 21 June 2025 (UTC)

| nationalteam-update = 10:16, 21 June 2025 (UTC)

}}

{{Nihongo|Moeka Minami|南萌華|Minami Moeka|born 7 December 1998}} is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for Women's Super League club Brighton & Hove Albion and the Japan national team.

Early life

Minami was born in Saitama Prefecture on 7 December 1998. She attended high school in Saitama Prefectural Nanryō High School. She graduated from University of Tsukuba Physical Education College in 2021.{{Cite web |title=浦和レッズレディースニュース｜なでしこジャパンは合宿を実施中。南萌華「五輪に向けてトレーニングすることが務め。全力で取り組む」｜レッズプレス!! |url=http://www.redspress.jp/index/ladies_news/ARTICLE1/2021051500002 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=redspress.jp}} She began her youth career when she joined the junior youth team of Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies.

Club career

= Urawa Reds =

She was promoted to Nadeshiko League club Urawa Reds from the youth team in 2017.[http://www.urawa-reds.co.jp/ladies/ladies_news/%E6%B5%A6%E5%92%8C%E3%83%AC%E3%83%83%E3%82%BA%E3%83%AC%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9%E3%83%A6%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9%E6%89%80%E5%B1%9E%E3%81%AE3%E9%81%B8%E6%89%8B-%E6%98%87%E6%A0%BC%E5%86%85%E5%AE%9A/ Urawa Reds] {{in lang|ja}}

= AS Roma =

On 24 July 2022, Minami signed a two-year contract with Italian Serie A club Roma.[https://www.asroma.com/it/notizie/2022/07/moeka-minami-e-una-nuova-calciatrice-giallorossa/ A.S.Roma] {{in lang|it}} She made her debut for the club on 19 August 2022 in a 3–1 UEFA Champions League win against Glasgow City.{{Cite web |title=Women's Champions League: Sparkling victory to see off Glasgow City! |url=https://www.asroma.com/news/2022/8/women-s-champions-league-sparkling-victory-to-see-off-glasgow-city |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=asroma.com |language=en}} On 10 September 2022, she scored her first goal for the club in a Serie A match against AC Milan.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-13 |title=AC Milan Women beaten 2–0 by Roma as tough start continues – the highlights |url=https://sempremilan.com/ac-milan-women-2-0-as-roma-report |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=SempreMilancom |language=en}} Later in the same month, she scored again for the club in a 4–1 win against Sparta Praha in the UEFA Champions League.{{Cite web |title=Roma Women 4-1 Sparta Prague: UWCL group stage secured! |url=https://www.asroma.com/news/2022/9/roma-women-4-1-sparta-prague-uwcl-group-stage-secured |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=asroma.com |language=en}} On 5 November, Minami won her first silverware with Roma as they beaten Juventus in a penalty shootout in the 2022 Supercoppa Italiana.{{Cite web |last=Clancy |first=Conor |date=2022-11-05 |title=AS Roma beat Juventus on penalties to win Supercoppa Femminile |url=https://total-italianfootball.com/as-roma-win-supercoppa-femminile-juventus-penalties/ |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=Total Italian Football |language=en-GB}} On 29 April 2023, she helped Roma clinched the 2022–23 Serie A title in a 2–1 win against Fiorentina, their first league title in club history.{{Cite web |last=AP |date=2023-04-29 |title=Roma dominates and wins Serie A Women for first time |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/roma-wins-serie-a-womens-title-spugna-italian-football-news-updates/article66794613.ece |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=sportstar.thehindu.com |language=en}}

On 8 February 2024, Minami penned a two-year contract extension with Roma which keeps her with the club until 30 June 2026.{{Cite web |title=Moeka Minami pens new deal with Roma Women! |url=https://www.asroma.com/en/news/70487/moeka-minami-pens-new-deal-with-roma-women |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=www.asroma.com |language=en}} She won her second Serie A title back to back with Roma at the end of the 2023–24 Serie A season.{{Cite web |last=bren |date=2024-04-27 |title=Official: Roma Wins Back-to-Back League Titles!! |url=https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2024/4/27/24142053/official-roma-wins-back-to-back-league-titles |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=Chiesa Di Totti |language=en}}

= Brighton & Hove Albion =

On 21 June 2025, it was announced that Minami had signed for Women's Super League club Brighton & Hove Albion.{{cite news |title=Minami signs for Albion |url=https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/pages/en/media-article/wft-news-minami-signs-for-albion |publisher=Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|date=21 June 2025 |access-date=21 June 2025}}

International career

= Youth =

In 2014, Minami was selected for the Japan U-17 national team for the 2014 U-17 World Cup.[https://web.archive.org/web/20190302024535/https://www.fifa.com/u17womensworldcup/archive/costarica2014/teams/team=1914191/players.html FIFA] She played one game against Paraguay in the group stage. Japan went on to win the championship.

Minami was selected for the Japan U-20 national team for the 2018 U-20 World Cup.[https://web.archive.org/web/20180820203426/https://www.fifa.com/u20womensworldcup/teams/team/1888600/ FIFA] She played all six matches as center-back and team captain. Japan won the championship and Minami received the Bronze Ball award.

= Senior =

In February 2019, Minami was selected for the Japan national team for the SheBelieves Cup. At this tournament, on 2 March, she debuted as center back-against Brazil.[http://www.jfa.jp/eng/nadeshikojapan/2019_shebelieves_cup/match_page/m3.html Japan Football Association]

On 10 May 2019, Minami was included in the 23-player squad for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.{{cite web |url=http://www.jfa.jp/women/news/00021202/ |title=なでしこジャパンの高倉麻子監督がFIFA女子ワールドカップに向けてメンバーを発表～国際親善試合対スペイン女子代表（6/2＠ル・トゥケ）、FIFA女子ワールドカップフランス 2019|trans-title=Nadeshiko Japan coach Asakura Takako announces members for FIFA Women's World Cup-International Goodwill vs. Spanish Women's National Team (6/2 @ Le Touquet), FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 |language=ja |publisher=Japan Football Association |date=11 May 2019}}

Minami was selected as part of the 22 players squad for the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Japan in 2021.{{Cite web |date=5 October 2021 |title=Japan announces women's football squad for Tokyo 2020 |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/japan-announces-women-s-football-squad-for-tokyo-2020 |access-date=21 February 2023}} She started all 3 group matches for Japan.

On 7 January 2022, Minami was called up to the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup squad.{{cite web|url=https://www.jfa.jp/eng/nadeshikojapan/afc_womens_asiancup_2022/member.html|title=AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022 - Selected Players / Staff|publisher=Japan Football Association|accessdate=7 January 2022}}

On 13 June 2023, she was included in the 23-player squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.{{Cite news |title=Iwabuchi left out of Japan's World Cup squad |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65883486 |access-date=2023-06-20}}

On 14 June 2024, Minami was included in the Japan squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics.{{cite web|url=https://www.jfa.jp/eng/national_team/news/00034044/|title=Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) squad & schedule - MS&AD Cup 2024: Noto Peninsula Earthquake Reconstruction Support Match "Ganbarou Noto" / Games of the XXXIII Olympiad (Paris 2024)|publisher=Japan Football Association (JFA)|website=jfa.jp|date=14 June 2024}}

Minami was part of the Japan squad that won the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.{{Cite web |date=27 February 2025 |title=United States vs Japan: Japan wins SheBelieves Cup |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cx2xy4v29x5t |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=BBC Sport |language= |archive-date=27 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227093641/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cx2xy4v29x5t |url-status=live }}

Career statistics

= Club =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition ! rowspan="2" \|Club ! rowspan="2" \|Season ! colspan="3" \|League ! colspan="2" \|National Cup{{Efn\|includes Empress's Cup, Coppa Italia}} ! colspan="2" \|League Cup{{Efn\|includes Nadeshiko League Cup}} ! colspan="2" \|Continental{{Efn\|includes UEFA Women's Champions League}} ! colspan="2" \|Others ! colspan="2" \|Total
Division !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals
rowspan="6" \|Urawa Reds \|2017 \|Nadeshiko League \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|3 \|0 \| colspan="2" \| — \| colspan="2" \| — \|3 \|0
2018 \|Nadeshiko League \|14 \|1 \|4 \|0 \|2 \|0 \| colspan="2" \| — \| colspan="2" \| — \|20 \|1
2019 \|Nadeshiko League \|17 \|0 \|5 \|1 \|4 \|1 \| colspan="2" \| — \| colspan="2" \| — \|26 \|2
2020 \|Nadeshiko League \|17 \|0 \|5 \|1 \| colspan="2" \| — \| colspan="2" \| — \| colspan="2" \| — \|22 \|1
2021–22 \|WE League \|20 \|2 \|4 \|0 \| colspan="2" \| — \| colspan="2" \| — \| colspan="2" \| — \|24 \|2
colspan="2" \|Total !68 !3 !18 !2 !9 !1 ! colspan="2" \|— ! colspan="2" \|— !95 !6
rowspan="4" \|AS Roma \|2022–23 \|Serie A \|25 \|2 \|4 \|0 \| colspan="2" \| — \|11 \|1 \|1{{efn\|Appearance(s) in Supercoppa Italiana\|name=SI}} \|0 \|41 \|3
2023–24 \|Serie A \|24 \|1 \|5 \|2 \| colspan="2" \|— \|7 \|0 \|1{{efn\|name=SI}} \|0 \|35 \|3
2024–25 \|Serie A \|24 \|3 \|5 \|0 \| colspan="2" \|— \|8 \|1 \|1{{efn\|name=SI}} \|0 \|38 \|4
colspan="2" \|Total !73 !6 !14 !2 ! colspan="2" \|— !26 !2 !3 !0 !114 !10
Brighton & Hove Albion \|2025–26 \|Women's Super League \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \| colspan="2" \|— \| colspan="2" \|— \|0 \|0
colspan="3" \|Career Total !141 !9 !32 !4 !9 !1 !26 !2 !3 !0 !209 !16

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

! rowspan="2" |Club

! rowspan="2" |Season

! colspan="3" |League

! colspan="2" |National Cup{{Efn|includes Empress's Cup, Coppa Italia}}

! colspan="2" |League Cup{{Efn|includes Nadeshiko League Cup}}

! colspan="2" |Continental{{Efn|includes UEFA Women's Champions League}}

! colspan="2" |Others

! colspan="2" |Total

Division

!Apps

!Goals

!Apps

!Goals

!Apps

!Goals

!Apps

!Goals

!Apps

!Goals

!Apps

!Goals

rowspan="6" |Urawa Reds

|2017

|Nadeshiko League

| colspan="2" | —

2018

|Nadeshiko League

|14

| colspan="2" | —

|20

2019

|Nadeshiko League

|17

| colspan="2" | —

|26

2020

|Nadeshiko League

|17

| colspan="2" | —

|22

2021–22

|WE League

|20

| colspan="2" | —

|24

colspan="2" |Total

!68

!18

! colspan="2" |—

!95

rowspan="4" |AS Roma

|2022–23

|Serie A

|25

| colspan="2" | —

|11

|1{{efn|Appearance(s) in Supercoppa Italiana|name=SI}}

|41

2023–24

|Serie A

|24

| colspan="2" |—

|1{{efn|name=SI}}

|35

2024–25

|Serie A

|24

| colspan="2" |—

|1{{efn|name=SI}}

|38

colspan="2" |Total

!73

!14

! colspan="2" |—

!26

!114

!10

Brighton & Hove Albion

|2025–26

|Women's Super League

| colspan="2" |—

colspan="3" |Career Total

!141

!32

!26

!209

!16

= International =

{{updated|match played 31 May 2025}}{{cite web | url=https://www.jfa.jp/eng/nadeshikojapan/member/minami_moeka.html | title=Nadeshiko Japan | National Teams｜JFA｜Japan Football Association }}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
National Team !Year	Apps	Goals
rowspan="7" \|Japan \|2019	10	0
2020 \|2 \|0
2021 \|8 \|1
2022 \|9 \|0
2023 \|16 \|3
2024 \|11 \|0
2025 \|4 \|1
colspan="2" \|Total\|\|60\|\|5

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year

National Team

!Year

Apps

Goals

rowspan="7" |Japan

|2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

|16

2024

|11

2025

colspan="2" |Total||60||5

:Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Minami goal.

class="wikitable" \|+ List of international goals scored by Moeka Minami
No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition !Ref
align=center\|1 \|8 April 2021 \|Yurtec Stadium Sendai, Sendai, Japan \|{{fbw\|PAR}} \|align=center\|1–0 \|align=center\|7–0 \|Friendly \|
align=center\|2 \|14 July 2023 \|Yurtec Stadium Sendai, Sendai, Japan \|{{fbw\|PAN}} \|align=center\|5–0 \|align=center\|5–0 \|Friendly \|{{Cite web \|title=Starting Lineup/Result {{!}} MS＆AD CUP 2023 {{!}} Nadeshiko Japan {{!}} Japan National Team {{!}} Japan Football Association \|url=https://www.jfa.jp/eng/nadeshikojapan/20230714/match_page.html#pankz \|access-date=2023-07-16 \|website=www.jfa.jp}}
align=center\|3 \|29 October 2023 \|Milliy Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan \|{{fbw\|UZB}} \|align=center\|1–0 \|align=center\|2–0 \|2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament \|
align=center\|4 \|3 December 2023 \|Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil \|{{fbw\|BRA}} \|align=center\|1–0 \|align=center\|2–0 \|Friendly \|
align=center\|5 \|20 February 2025 \|Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, Texas, United States \|{{fbw\|AUS}} \|style="text-align:center"\|4–0 \|style="text-align:center"\|4–0 \|2025 SheBelieves Cup

class="wikitable"

|+ List of international goals scored by Moeka Minami

No.

Date

Venue

Opponent

Score

Result

Competition

!Ref

align=center|1

|8 April 2021

|Yurtec Stadium Sendai, Sendai, Japan

|{{fbw|PAR}}

|align=center|1–0

|align=center|7–0

|Friendly

align=center|2

|14 July 2023

|Yurtec Stadium Sendai, Sendai, Japan

|{{fbw|PAN}}

|align=center|5–0

|Friendly

|{{Cite web |title=Starting Lineup/Result {{!}} MS＆AD CUP 2023 {{!}} Nadeshiko Japan {{!}} Japan National Team {{!}} Japan Football Association |url=https://www.jfa.jp/eng/nadeshikojapan/20230714/match_page.html#pankz |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=www.jfa.jp}}

align=center|3

|29 October 2023

|Milliy Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

|{{fbw|UZB}}

|align=center|1–0

|align=center|2–0

|2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament

align=center|4

|3 December 2023

|Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil

|{{fbw|BRA}}

|align=center|1–0

|align=center|2–0

|Friendly

align=center|5

|20 February 2025

|Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, Texas, United States

|{{fbw|AUS}}

|style="text-align:center"|4–0

|2025 SheBelieves Cup

Honours

Urawa Reds

Nadeshiko League: 2020
Empress's Cup: 2021
Empress's Cup runner-up: 2019, 2020
Nadeshiko League Cup runner-up: 2017

AS Roma

Japan U17

AFC U-16 Women's Championship: 2013
FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup: 2014

Japan U20

AFC U-20 Women's Asian Championship: 2017
FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup: 2018

Japan

EAFF E-1 Football Championship: 2019
SheBelieves Cup: 2025{{Cite news |last=Rueter |first=Jeff |last2=Linehan |first2=Meg |title=Japan unseats USWNT in SheBelieves Cup, ending 5-year tournament winning streak |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6163279/2025/02/27/japan-uswnt-shebelieves-cup-winning-streak/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Individual

EAFF E-1 Football Championship MVP: 2019
Nadeshiko League/WE League Best Eleven: 2019, 2020, 2021-2022

;Individual

Serie A Women's Team of the Year: 2022–23{{Cite web |date=4 December 2023 |title=Gran Galà del Calcio: tutti i vincitori della serata LIVE |url=https://sport.sky.it/calcio/serie-a/2023/12/04/gala-del-calcio-2023-premi-vincitori |access-date=5 December 2023 |website=Sky Sport |language=it}}