Veteran former Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda announced on social media Wednesday he will leave Brazilian first-division side Botafogo.
In a message posted in Portuguese to his Twitter account, the 34-year-old Honda thanked his teammates and fans of the Rio de Janeiro club, who he joined in a move from Dutch side Vitesse early in the year.
He also apologized for the club's lack of success since he arrived to great fanfare in February. Historically one of Brazil's strongest clubs, Botafogo are currently facing relegation, sitting second last in the 20-team first division.
"I made the decision for personal and professional reasons," Honda said.
Em segundo lugar, estou muito agradecido por tudo que vocês fizeram, foi uma ótima experiência e nunca vi e senti algo desse tamanho com os torcedores no aeroporto e no estádio quando cheguei. Tomei esta decisão por motivos pessoais e profissionais,
— KeisukeHonda(本田圭佑) (@kskgroup2017) December 30, 2020
Honda had indicated the possibility of his departure from the club last month following the firing of manager Ramon Diaz, who was sacked just three weeks after his appointment, without ever coaching a game.
In the immediate aftermath of Diaz's sacking, Honda tweeted, "I will start thinking to leave if they won't convince me in a few days."
Diaz's replacement, Brazilian Eduardo Barroca, is Botafogo's fifth manager since the season restarted in June after a three-month break because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
