Daisuke Sato: Always Looking For The Next Challenge

As someone who has followed Daisuke Sato’s career closely, I was very surprised at his demeanor during our entire interview session. Known for his fierce competitiveness and extremely high-energy style of play on the pitch, I was awed by how calm, down-to-earth, and soft-spoken he was. 

ALL-STAR learned a lot about Sato-san. During my time conversing with him we touched on not only his stories, experiences, and dreams for Philippine Football, but also the journey in between when he first started playing to what he’s now enjoying today. 

Forged in the field 

Even at an early age, Daisuke Sato has always been drawn to the game of football. Japan, which is a big football country, has provided him with opportunities to compete in his young career. However, it was not always smooth sailing. 

When he was about to enter college, his father fell seriously ill. This was when he and his father had a difficult conversation, which ended with a difficult decision that his education would have to be put on hold. His immediate reaction to this was to take his football career more seriously so that he would have the means to support himself. Understanding that it could be his path not only to self-sufficiency, but also to supporting his loved ones. He became determined to find ways to provide for his current family and, eventually, to build a stable future for a family of his own.

 As fate would have it, he was connected by a friend to someone who could introduce him to the right people.

“When I was 18, I had an opportunity to meet one agent in Japan. He’s the one who connected me with boss Dan (Palami).” Sato shares. This was in the year 2014. And as you know, this meeting eventually led Sato to be part of the national team as a left-back just one year after being introduced. 

A true master of his craft

Sato’s bread and butter is defending. Naturally, we took advantage of the opportunity to ask him for tips and techniques about the proper way of 1-on-1 defending. Right there and then, he switched up and became this serious mentor, a real student of the game. 

“You have to smell it. You have to wait for the right moment. When the ball goes away from the feet then you have to close the distance.” Sato mentioned.

As he was showing the proper defending techniques, I can’t help to notice his extreme competitive side. He mentioned that with his current team, One Taguig, him being one of the most experienced players among the team, he wants to contribute and help the team as much as he can.

“I play more like a free role. Center-Back, Left-Back, and Midfield,” with pride, Sato shared. 

With my curiosity I asked him if he still prefers his original position as Left-Back and he answered looking straight into my eyes “I don’t mind. I just want to win.” 

I could not help but notice the level of confidence, passion, and mastery when he told me this. It’s like it’s one of those things you get from the old master teaching the young student.

A career that brought him all around the world.

Daisuke Sato’s playing style and champion’s heart quickly stood out during his time in the local football league, which lasted only two years (2014–2016), before he moved on to play in various parts of Europe and Asia such as Romania, Denmark, Lithuania, Thailand, and Indonesia  where he adapted and refined his game by embracing different footballing styles across countries.

“I developed my game in Europe. Intensity was really different. More on high intensity, more on physical, tactical game is different. More developed game.”

Standing 5-foot-7 with a slim build for a defender who plays in various countries, this is what he had to say. 

“You can see, I’m not the strongest, tallest, fastest so you have to be smart. At a young age I realized that I have to play with my mind.” Sato shared.

His dream for the next generation

After nine years of playing overseas, 30-year-old Daisuke Sato is back in the country, bringing with him a wealth of experience and deeper knowledge of the game. He’s still playing the sport he loves—but with a twist. Sato now also serves as the manager of the BGC Soldiers, a team competing in the 7s Super League. He shared his thoughts on how the football scene in the Philippines can continue to grow and improve.

“ We have to be fit,  we have to be more smart. The tactical approach, for that we have to have good training, good facility. We need more competition, that you feel every game is very important, that the competitiveness that changes everything.” Sato shared. 

With the national team currently experiencing a resurgence, one of Sato’s key points was how the PFF could benefit from these improvements.

 “It will help in the future for the national team. If you have competitive league in the country, it’s good for the national team.”

Reaping the rewards 

In addition to over a decade of dedicating his life to football, Daisuke Sato has also ventured into modeling for clothing brands and endorsing products like dental care, skin care to name a few. His latest role, however, is as the new football ambassador for Skechers. 

After building a strong football career across Europe and Asia, Filipino defender Daisuke Sato is stepping into a new role—this time off the field. The 30-year-old has been named the newest football ambassador for Skechers, joining other top athletes as the brand expands into performance sports.

“I like the looks, I like the technology behind the boots. Usually the first try of the boots it’s not comfortable but with Skechers, I don’t need to break it in. Since that moment I know this is the right choice. Sato shared with delight.

known for his hard work, smart play, and strong mindset on the field, making him a great fit for Skechers’ slogan, “Comfort That Performs.” Whether he’s making key defensive plays or guiding younger players as manager of the BGC Soldiers in the 7s Super League, he brings the same drive and professionalism to everything he does.

Daisuke Sato’s journey both on and off the field is a true testament to his dedication and love for the game. From his early challenges in Japan to his successful career across Europe and Asia, he has proven that hard work, intelligence, and adaptability are key to success. Now, as the new football ambassador for Skechers, Sato continues to inspire and lead, not just through his playing but also by mentoring the next generation of players. Both of his teams are currently on a competitive and fiery run, fighting for the top spot in both the 7’s Super League and the Philippine Football League. His insights into the future of Philippine football and his desire to contribute to its growth only highlight the kind of leader he is—on and off the pitch.