A quick and creative player, he was also known for his accuracy from bending free-kicks, powerful striking ability from distance, dribbling skills and delivery as a set-piece specialist.

[5] When Honda was a Seiryo High School student, he made an appearance at J.League Cup as Special Designated Youth Player in 2004.

This secured a 2–1 (3–2 aggregate) victory to send the club to the quarterfinals, making Honda the first Japanese player to be in the quarter-finals as well as the first to score in the knock-out stages.

Honda picked up his first piece of silverware with CSKA on 22 May 2011, coming on as a second-half substitute for Alan Dzagoev in a 2–1 defeat of Alania Vladikavkaz in the Russian Cup final.

[16] On 13 July 2013, Honda scored CSKA's first and third goals in the club's 3–0 victory over Zenit in the Russian Super Cup match in Rostov.

[26] On 31 August 2014, Honda scored for Milan against Lazio, netting the club's first goal of the season as the Rossoneri won 3–1 in Filippo Inzaghi's Serie A debut as manager.

[28] Honda provided an assist for Giacomo Bonaventura's opening goal and scored a bullet header to restore Milan's lead, from Ignazio Abate's cross.

On 21 May 2017, Honda scored against Bologna winning the game and thus qualifying Milan to the Europa League for the first time since the 2013–14 season from a free kick.

[42] The signing was officially confirmed two days later, with Honda joining the Portuguese side on a six-month deal with the option for a one-year extension.

[45] On 15 March 2021, Honda joined Azerbaijan Premier League club Neftçi PFK on a deal until the end of the season.

[49] Following a two-and-a-half-year break and taking on managerial duties, Bhutan Premier League side Paro FC announced Honda's return to professional football on 29 July 2024.

He initially joined Paro on a one-match contract to play in the AFC Challenge League play-off against Church Boys United.

[51] He scored his first goal for the senior national team on 27 May 2009 in a friendly match against Chile at Nagai Stadium in Osaka and has since been given the nickname "Emperor Keisuke".

He scored the only goal in Japan's opening match against Cameroon, finishing off Daisuke Matsui's cross into the top left corner of the net.

[52] His performance in the game gained him the Man of the Match Award from FIFA and the 1–0 victory was Japan's first World Cup triumph on foreign soil.

[55] In their round of 16 matchup, Japan were eliminated by Paraguay, falling 3–5 in penalty kicks after the game finished goalless through extra time.

[56] Jonathan Wilson of The Guardian cited him as a 'false nine': a player superficially employed as a centre forward but moving deeper to pull the opposition defence around the pitch.

[58] Honda was awarded the most valuable player of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup as Japan lifted a record fourth continental title.

[59] Honda missed the majority of the third round of AFC World Cup qualification due to injury he picked up while playing for his club.

[62] He also played a crucial role during their 1–1 draw with Australia on 12 June 2012, during a corner kick, he assisted a goal which was scored by Yuzo Kurihara.

[64][65] Although not 100 percent fit, Honda was named in the squad for the game against Australia on 4 June 2013, having just won the Russian Cup with his club.

[77] Cambodia finished last in its 2022 FIFA world cup qualifying group and suffered two extraordinary defeats to Iran, first 14–0 in late 2019 and then 10–0 in June 2021.

[78][79] In January 2023, the Football Federation of Cambodia announced that the 2022 AFF Championship would be Honda's last tournament with the national team.