‘There are problems, but he is a legend’…Former Japanese national team soccer player Hisato Sato “after” his “adulterous love affair” with a therapist.

We will continue our relationship.”

Sato met Ms. A after she retired in ’20. At that time, they were a therapist and a client, but they began an affair in ’23. Sato moved out of the apartment where he was working alone in April ’24, and the new house was in the neighborhood about a 15-minute walk from Ms. A’s house. I think the decision to move was solely for work. …… If it was to spend more time with Ms. A, I feel too sorry for the family.”

In an interview with a Hiroshima Prefecture child abuse prevention website, Sato expressed his gratitude to his wife, saying, “My family provided me with an environment where I could concentrate on my career as an athlete. We interviewed Sato directly after he returned home from work.

–I’d like to know if you are in a relationship with Mr. A.?

Yes. ……. Yes.

He admitted to the affair surprisingly easily. The first thing he did was to ask a question.

I have told my wife about the existence of Mr. A. My first and second sons also know about it. I’m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it’s a good idea. It may sound selfish to say it like this, but I also told them that …… my feelings are toward Mr. A. Of course, I told Mr. A about his wife’s existence as well. Of course, I have told Mr. A about his wife’s existence.”

–Are you discussing divorce?

Yes, we are. To be more precise, last year (2011), I could hardly go home to Hiroshima because of work. At that time, my wife didn’t show me any kind of appreciation for my work, and she sometimes said to me, ‘Maybe you’re just playing with yourself. These things piled up, and I felt disconnected.

–So you are in a serious relationship with Mr. A on the premise of divorce?

Yes, I am. Yes, I am. I don’t know if I will marry Mr. A, but I will continue dating him.

–You are moving to a place in Mr. A’s neighborhood, though, right?

Yes, that’s because it’s convenient for my work.

After about 10 minutes of explanation, Sato got on the train and left for home.

He said, “Even though we are in the middle of a discussion, your wife has not forgiven you for the affair. I have heard that she is so stressed that she has been driven to the point of hospitalization. She also does not want a divorce for the sake of their children,” said a former acquaintance of Sato.

I did not want to see the legend score a treacherous goal as the “striker of the night.