He didn't hang around.
But then really not.
Coming into play on Saturday in the second half during Japan's defeat (1-2) in the quarter-final of the Asian Nations Cup against Iran in Qatar, Takumi Minamino returned to his Monaco club and the pitch 24 hours later .
The 29-year-old Japanese attacking midfielder, replacing at kick-off, replaced his partner Maghnes Akliouche in the 71st minute of play during the reception of Le Havre in Ligue 1 this Sunday early in the afternoon at the Louis-II stadium .
Minamino failed to help his team make the difference against the promoted Normandy, who left the Principality with the draw point (1-1).
If he recovered very quickly, that is not the case for another Japanese international, Keito Nakamura.
The latter is not on the scoresheet at Stade de Reims, which hosts Toulouse this Sunday afternoon, after remaining on the sidelines against the Iranians.
The Inaki Williams case in Bilbao
Minamino's case is reminiscent of that of Ghanaian international Inaki Williams.
On Wednesday January 24, the latter participated in the victory of Athletic Bilbao (4-2, ap) over FC Barcelona in the quarter-final of the Copa del Rey, 48 hours after playing in an African Cup match. nations with the Black Stars.
The latter were officially eliminated on Tuesday, leaving him only a few hours to reach Spain from the Ivory Coast.
To the delight of his team, qualified in particular thanks to one of his goals in overtime.