On the evening of May 7, 2025, unverified reports surfaced claiming that Kyogo Furuhashi, the former Celtic forward now playing for Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais, was involved in a severe car accident. These claims, which sparked concern among fans, lack credible evidence from reliable sources such as major news outlets, official club statements, or Furuhashi’s own social media. As of now, no confirmation of any such incident exists, and it appears Kyogo is safe, focusing on his career in France. This article explores the context of the rumor, Kyogo’s current situation, and the importance of verifying information in the age of rapid news cycles.
Kyogo Furuhashi, born January 20, 1995, in Nara, Japan, rose to prominence as a prolific striker for Celtic FC, where he scored 54 goals in 135 appearances after joining from Vissel Kobe in 2021 for £4.5 million. His electric pace, sharp finishing, and knack for scoring in high-stakes matches, like his eight goals in 11 derbies against Rangers, made him a Parkhead legend. In January 2025, Kyogo sought a new challenge, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal with Rennes for £10 million, a move driven by his ambition to test himself in a top European league. However, his transition has been rocky. Limited to six appearances, with just one start and 112 league minutes, Kyogo has yet to score for Rennes. A recurring shoulder injury, which plagued him at Celtic, has compounded his struggles, with reports suggesting surgery is imminent but delayed until the season’s end to minimize disruption to Rennes’ Ligue 1 campaign.
The rumor of a “ghastly car accident” emerged without a clear origin, possibly from unverified social media posts or speculative forums. No major outlet, including Sky Sports, Daily Record, or Ouest-France, which closely cover Kyogo’s career, has reported such an event. The absence of any mention on Rennes’ official channels or Kyogo’s social media, where he recently posted about training, further undermines the claim. A search for accidents in France on May 7, 2025, yields unrelated incidents, like minor collisions in Nevada County, California, reported by YubaNet, but nothing tied to Kyogo or Brittany, where Rennes is based. A 2019 car crash in Higashi-Ikebukuro, Japan, involving an 87-year-old driver, Kozo Iizuka, surfaced in searches but is entirely unconnected.
Kyogo’s current focus is on overcoming his professional challenges. Under Rennes’ new manager, Habib Beye, who replaced Jorge Sampaoli shortly after Kyogo’s arrival, the Japanese striker has struggled to secure a regular role. Beye has praised Kyogo’s work rate but left him out of recent squads, including matches against Nantes and Lyon, despite declaring him fit. Fans and pundits, particularly Celtic supporters, have expressed dismay at his limited minutes, with some, like X user @AndrewJMullen, lamenting his move as a “huge mistake.” Others, including French journalist @Jlechevestrier, note that Kyogo’s shoulder fragility and lack of alignment with Beye’s tactics have sidelined him, despite the €11 million investment.
Amid these challenges, Kyogo remains optimistic. In March 2025, he told Nikkan Sports, “I’m running, hoping that one pass out of ten will be enough… I want to stay positive and do my best.” His recall to Japan’s national team for 2026 World Cup qualifiers alongside former Celtic teammates Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate signals his determination to regain form. For now, the accident rumor appears to be a false alarm, underscoring the need for caution with unverified claims. Kyogo’s real battle is on the pitch, where he aims to rediscover the form that made him a start
