Who is sae itoshi

**Sae Itoshi** is a fictional character from the manga and anime series **Blue Lock**, created by Muneyuki Kaneshiro (story) and Yusuke Nomura (art). He is the older brother of **Rin Itoshi**, one of the main supporting characters in the series. Sae is widely regarded as one of the best soccer players in the world within the Blue Lock universe. He plays as a midfielder and is known for his exceptional vision, passing ability, and technical skill. He spent time playing in **Spain** (for a club called Real Madrid's rival, implied to be a top European club), which shaped him into an elite-level player at a young age. His relationship with his younger brother Rin is a central emotional thread in the story. As children, Sae and Rin shared a dream of playing soccer together, but Sae eventually told Rin to "not follow him," which deeply affected Rin and became a major source of his motivation and rivalry. This backstory adds significant depth to both characters. Sae is portrayed as cold, calculating, and highly analytical on the field. He is considered a genius who prioritizes efficiency and results over emotion. His presence in the story raises the stakes for the protagonists, particularly **Yoichi Isagi** and Rin, as he represents a benchmark of world-class talent they aspire to surpass.