Because of this status, Maeda was able to register as a Verdy Kawasaki player while he was still eligible to play for his high school club.

Consistent with the "curse", Gamba Osaka was relegated to J2 following the last game of the season in which they lost against, funnily enough, Jubilo Iwata 2–1 with Maeda scoring a goal and an assist.

[citation needed] Maeda played for Japan U20 at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina.

He also played for Japan U23 at the 2004 Summer Olympics qualification but failed to be picked up to the squad for the finals in Greece.

After impressive performance at club, Maeda made his international debut for Japan in a friendly against Cameroon on 22 August 2007 at Oita Stadium.

[6] He scored his first international goal on 17 October 2007 in a friendly against Egypt at Nagai Stadium in Osaka.