Konami Brings Naruto to eFootball: Neymar as Naruto, Kubo as Sasuke in Anime Crossover

Key facts

• Konami announced the eFootball x Naruto Shippuden collaboration on April 30, 2026.
• Neymar Jr. is paired with Naruto Uzumaki, and Takefusa Kubo with Sasuke Uchiha.
• Robert Lewandowski is Kakashi Hatake, Martin Ødegaard is Shikamaru Nara, and Luka Modrić is Itachi Uchiha.
• Special player cards trigger unique visual effects for Stunning Shots, including Wind Style: Rasen Shuriken and Chidori.
• The collaboration runs from April 30 to May 14, 2026, with free in-game events to earn players and items.
• Naruto manga sold over 250 million copies worldwide, with 700 chapters published from 1999 to 2014.
• eFootball previously collaborated with Blue Lock, Captain Tsubasa, and Yu-Gi-Oh!.

Neymar and Kubo Lead eFootball's Naruto Crossover

Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. has launched a special limited-time collaboration between eFootball and the globally popular anime series Naruto Shippuden, announced on April 30, 2026, from its Windsor, UK headquarters. The crossover centers on unique player pairings: Neymar Jr. as Naruto Uzumaki and Takefusa Kubo as Sasuke Uchiha, blending the worlds of football and ninja. The collaboration trailer, released simultaneously, features global football stars including Neymar Jr. and Robert Lewandowski appearing alongside characters from Naruto Shippuden. The trailer recreates iconic scenes from the anime, with Neymar kicking a Rasenshuriken and firing a Rasengan alongside Naruto, while glimpses of the Sharingan appear with Lewandowski and Modrić.

Player Pairings and Ninja Transformations

The crossover assigns specific footballers to Naruto characters: Neymar Jr. as Naruto Uzumaki, Takefusa Kubo as Sasuke Uchiha, Robert Lewandowski as Kakashi Hatake, Martin Ødegaard as Shikamaru Nara, and Luka Modrić as Itachi Uchiha. The trailer shows Modrić, aged 40, dressed in Itachi's Akatsuki coat and defaced headband, performing hand signs with glowing eyes. Neymar, who has a tattoo of Dragon Ball's Son Goku on his waist, is known for his affinity for Japanese pop culture. He previously appeared in a Dark Magician costume during eFootball's Yu-Gi-Oh! collaboration in 2025. Kubo, often called the 'Japanese Messi' by fans for his technical ability, is depicted possessing the Sharingan Dojutsu.

In-Game Mechanics: Visual Effects and Celebrations

The collaboration does not transform eFootball into an action game where players attack opponents with ninja techniques. Instead, special collaboration player cards trigger unique visual effects during Stunning Shots, recreating signature ninjutsu such as Wind Style: Rasen Shuriken and Chidori. Scoring a goal activates special, collaboration-exclusive celebrations, bringing the crossover to life on the pitch. Additional themed content includes stadium decorations and choreographed celebrations inspired by Naruto Shippuden. Players can earn the special collaboration players and items for free by participating in in-game events during the campaign period.

Campaign Timeline and Accessibility

The limited-time event runs from April 30 to May 14, 2026, giving players two weeks to participate. During this period, players can earn the special collaboration players and items at no cost through in-game events. The collaboration trailer was also shared on eFootball's official X account, with the post receiving significant attention. Konami has provided a dedicated website for more information on the collaboration, accessible at konami.com/efootball/en/.

Naruto's Enduring Legacy and eFootball's Crossover History

Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto, was first serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999 and concluded in 2014 with 700 chapters. The anime adaptation began broadcasting in 2002. The series has sold over 250 million print copies globally, and its influence continues through events, games, merchandise, and the sequel series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. eFootball has previously collaborated with football-themed works like Blue Lock and Captain Tsubasa, but the 2025 Yu-Gi-Oh! collaboration demonstrated the game's willingness to expand beyond sports. The Naruto crossover marks another step in Konami's strategy to merge football with popular culture.

Mixed Fan Reactions and Online Buzz

The trailer has elicited a mixed response from the community. Some fans have declared it 'absolute cinema' in comments on the official Konami YouTube channel, expressing genuine excitement for the crossover. Others have been less positive: user zen-audios commented 'Bills cannot be this high,' while DiegoJuarez-p2f wrote 'Instead of qualifying Lewandoski does this and Neymar chose this instead of the World Cup.' User Josharper simply wrote '[eFootball] did them all dirty,' adding two crying laughing emojis. The reaction underscores the divisive nature of such crossovers, with some viewers finding the concept entertaining and others questioning the priorities of the players involved.

What Comes Next for eFootball and Anime Collaborations

With the Naruto collaboration running until May 14, Konami has not announced future crossovers, but the company's track record suggests more partnerships may follow. The success of this event could influence the direction of eFootball's content strategy, particularly in appealing to the large anime fanbase. As the gaming and football worlds increasingly intersect with pop culture, eFootball's willingness to embrace anime may set a precedent for other sports games. For now, players can log in and experience the fusion of ninja techniques and football until the campaign ends.

The bottom line

• Konami's eFootball x Naruto Shippuden collaboration runs from April 30 to May 14, 2026, featuring special player cards and in-game events.
• Neymar Jr. is paired with Naruto, Takefusa Kubo with Sasuke, and other stars like Lewandowski, Ødegaard, and Modrić take on roles from the anime.
• Special visual effects for Stunning Shots and goal celebrations are inspired by ninja techniques like Rasen Shuriken and Chidori.
• Naruto has sold over 250 million copies worldwide, highlighting its enduring popularity as a franchise.
• eFootball has a history of anime crossovers, including Blue Lock, Captain Tsubasa, and Yu-Gi-Oh!.
• Fan reactions to the trailer have been mixed, with some praising the creativity and others criticizing the timing.