# Ryotaro Meshino

Ryotaro Meshino (食野 亮太郎, Meshino Ryōtarō, born 18 June 1998) is a Japanese professional footballer. He plays for Gamba Osaka in the J1 League.

## Career
### Gamba Osaka

Meshino signed his first senior contract with Gamba Osaka ahead of the 2017 season and was handed the number 40 jersey. He didn't feature at all in 2017, but Brazilian coach Levir Culpi handed him his J1 League debut in week six of the 2018 campaign, a 1-0 home defeat by Vissel Kobe. He went on to make 11 appearances in J1 League that year as well as five in the J. League cup; where he scored in the 3-2 win away to Sanfrecce Hiroshima on 9 May, and one in the Emperor's Cup.
While still officially a member of Gamba Osaka's youth team, Meshino started playing for Gamba U-23 in J3 League in 2016. He debuted on 13 March in a game against YSCC Yokohama and in total scored one goal in 13 appearances in 2016. After being promoted to a senior contract in 2017, he began to play more regularly; scoring three times in 20 games in 2017. 2018 saw him become more of a regular member of Gamba's J1 league squad, however, he still managed to make 15 appearances in J3; scoring five times, including a double in Gamba's season-opening win over Grulla Morioka on March 11.

### Manchester City

On 9 August 2019, Premier League club Manchester City signed Meshino on a three-year deal.

#### Hearts (loan)

On 4 September 2019, a month after signing for Manchester City, Meshino was loaned to Scottish Premiership club Heart of Midlothian until the end of the season.

#### Rio Ave (loan)

In September 2020, Meshino joined Primeira Liga club Rio Ave on a two year loan deal. He returned to Manchester City at the end of the 2020–21 season.

#### Estoril (loan)

In July 2021, Meshino returned to Portugal, joining Primeira Liga club Estoril on loan for the season.

### Gamba Osaka

On 8 July 2022, Gamba Osaka announced the return of Meshino on a permanent transfer.

## Career statistics
### First team

    As of 11 February 2023.
| Club performance | Club performance | Club performance | League | League | Cup | Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Continental | Continental | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Gamba Osaka | 2017 | J1 League | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Gamba Osaka | 2018 | J1 League | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 17 | 1 |
| Gamba Osaka | 2019 | J1 League | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 3 |
| Gamba Osaka | 2022 | J1 League | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 2 |
| Gamba Osaka | Total | Total | 36 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 6 |
| Manchester City | 2019–20 | Premier League | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Manchester City | 2020–21 | Premier League | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Manchester City | 2021–22 | Premier League | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Manchester City | Total | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Heart of Midlothian (loan) | 2019–20 | Scottish Premiership | 20 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | 3 |
| Rio Ave (loan) | 2020–21 | Primeira Liga | 13 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 4 |
| G.D. Estoril Praia (loan) | 2021–22 | Primeira Liga | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 1 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 78 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 91 | 14 |

### Reserves team

    As of 2 December 2018.
| Club performance | Club performance | Club performance | League | League | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Gamba Osaka U-23 | 2016 | J3 | 13 | 1 | 13 | 1 |
| Gamba Osaka U-23 | 2017 | J3 | 20 | 3 | 20 | 3 |
| Gamba Osaka U-23 | 2018 | J3 | 15 | 5 | 15 | 5 |
| Gamba Osaka U-23 | 2019 | J3 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 56 | 17 | 56 | 17 |