# Manaka Matsukubo

Manaka Matsukubo (松窪 真心, Matsukubo Manaka, born 28 July 2004) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for the North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the Japan national team. She helped lead Japan U-20 to the final of the 2022 and 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups, receiving the Silver Ball at the latter tournament.

## Club career
### Mynavi Sendai

Manaka made her professional debut for Mynavi Sendai of the WE League on 5 March 2023 and played 1,075 minutes across the season. She helped the team to a fourth-place finish in her first year as a professional, scoring four goals and adding one assist.

### North Carolina Courage

On 27 July 2023, the North Carolina Courage acquired Manaka on loan from Mynavi Sendai through June 2024. She made her first NWSL appearance on 27 August 2023. With the Courage, Matsukubo became the youngest player to start a game in the NWSL Challenge Cup and the youngest to score. She scored the second goal in a 2–0 victory over Racing Louisville in the Challenge Cup final on 9 September, being named the most valuable player of the match. Manaka scored her first NWSL regular-season goal the next week in a 2–1 loss to the Orlando Pride. On the final matchday of 2023, she assisted Tyler Lussi in a 1–0 win over the Washington Spirit that clinched the Courage's spot in the playoffs.
On 27 June 2024, Manaka was signed by the Courage permanently through 2025.

## International career
### Youth national team

Manaka played for Japan's under-20 side during the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in 2022, scoring one goal as Japan made it to the final.
She was called up to play at the 2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup scored 3 goals, but she left early to return to her club.
She was selected for her second U-20 Women's World Cup in 2024. In the semifinals, she scored both of the goals in a 2–0 victory over the Netherlands. She scored three goals in all at the tournament and received the Silver Ball as its second-best player.

### Senior national team

Manaka received her first call-up to Japan's full team in October 2024. She made her senior debut on 20 February 2025, coming on as a substitute for Maika Hamano during a 4–0 win against Australia at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 5 October 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National Cup | National Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| JFA Academy Fukushima | 2019 | Challenge League | 10 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 |
| JFA Academy Fukushima | 2020 | Challenge League | 12 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 9 |
| JFA Academy Fukushima | 2021 | Nadeshiko League 2 | 14 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 15 |
| JFA Academy Fukushima | 2022 | Nadeshiko League 2 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 6 |
| JFA Academy Fukushima | Total | Total | 46 | 30 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 33 |
| Mynavi Sendai | 2022–23 | WE League | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 4 |
| North Carolina Courage (loan) | 2023 | NWSL | 7 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 9 | 2 |
| North Carolina Courage | 2024 | NWSL | 14 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 14 | 2 |
| North Carolina Courage | Total | Total | 21 | 3 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 23 | 4 |
| Career Total | Career Total | Career Total | 79 | 37 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 84 | 41 |
* ↑ Includes Empress's Cup
* ↑ Includes Nadeshiko League Cup, NWSL Challenge Cup

## Honours

JFA Academy Fukushima
* Nadeshiko Challenge League: 2020
* Nadeshiko League 2: 2021
North Carolina Courage
* NWSL Challenge Cup: 2023
Individual
* WE League Outstanding Player Award: 2022–23