“More Than Just a Motivator”: Former National Team Defender Also “Set the Record Straight” to the Media on Yuto Nagatomo’s Overwhelming Presence

Fifth consecutive World Cup appearance since the South Africa tournament

In the CONCACAF World Cup, the Japanese national team drew 2–2 against the Netherlands in a match held early on the morning of June 15 (Japan time).

It was a tough match in which Japan fell behind twice, but in the 44th minute of the second half, midfielder Daichi Kamada (29) redirected a header by forward Koki Ogawa (28), tying the game at the last minute. The opponent was a powerhouse ranked 7th in the world (Japan is ranked 18th). On social media,

“#GreatComeback”

trended on social media, as Japan secured a valuable point that will carry over to their match against Tunisia on the 21st.

Although Moriyasu’s Japan is widely hailed as the “strongest team in history,” the road to this point has by no means been smooth.

Just before the World Cup, star midfielder Kaoru Mitoma (29) was sidelined due to injury. On June 12, captain Wataru Endo (33), who had been training separately, was dropped from the national team.Based on the assessment that he would not be in top form for the tournament, forward Shuto Machino (26) was called up to replace Endo.

A sports newspaper reporter covering the tournament on site told this website,

“It’s a competitive sport, so it can’t be helped, but Head Coach Hajime Moriyasu (57) must have been heartbroken when he had to tell Endo he was ‘cut from the squad.’ Endo’s No. 6 jersey was hung on the bench for the match against the Netherlands, and even we reporters were deeply moved,”

he said.

For the sake of Mitoma and Endo—having overcome this setback, the team is more united than ever.

Acting as the team’s glue is 39-year-old defender Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), the team’s oldest player.

He has appeared in five consecutive World Cups, starting with the 2010 tournament in South Africa. He is both the team’s morale booster and its emotional backbone. On the other hand, Nagatomo’s selection has sparked questions, particularly on social media:

“Why?”

“There must be others who should be called up,”

.

I want to be treated as just another player

When departing from Japan, he appeared at the airport wearing a “Hinomaru Fighting Spirit Headband.” Even at the training camp, he wore a headband adorned with the Japanese flag during practice. While the media reported on Nagatomo’s every move, some outlets treated him as merely an “entertainment figure.”

Former Japan national team defender Takanori Sakai (35) voiced his criticism of this trend.

Speaking to reporters after the J.League All-Star Game on June 13,

“His experience is definitely greater than that of other players. It’s not about him being a motivator or a veteran—I just want him to be his usual self, fiercely competing for a starting spot as always, and to make sure he does his job properly when he plays,”

he argued passionately. Regarding media coverage,

“It feels like he’s being brought along just to maintain the team’s atmosphere, but I’m sure that’s not what he wants. I want him to be treated as just another player,”

he emphasized.

The sports newspaper reporter mentioned earlier agreed.

“Nagatomo’s physique is incredible. He has a rock-hard, steel-like body—you’d never guess he’s 39. I’ve watched him in training, and I’ve never seen him fall behind the younger players. If anything, he takes the lead, shouting encouragement and running hard. I think he’s putting in a lot of effort behind the scenes,”

Even though he sometimes jokes about the thinning hair on the top of his head due to aging, he never complains about the grueling training. A photographer covering the team on site also had this to say:

“During the match against the Netherlands, he took his place in the front row of the bench and kept cheering on the team as if he were actually on the field. When a Japanese player was fouled, he spread his arms wide and shouted ‘Hey!’ to protest to the referee. Spurred on by Nagatomo, the other players on the bench were also shouting their hearts out. Seeing that, I realized once again just how indispensable he is.”

Of course, he has no intention of being just a “cheerleader.” In tough matches where mental toughness is put to the test, there’s a real possibility he’ll be brought in as a “trump card” to shift the momentum.

“From what I’ve seen, his work rate hasn’t declined at all. His reaction speed is also fast. I think Coach Moriyasu is calling him up strictly as a player,” said the same photographer.

Before leaving for the tournament, Nagatomo addressed the mixed reactions to his national team selection:

“By the time the World Cup is over, everyone will have nothing but praise for me,”

The day when Nagatomo’s prediction becomes reality is drawing near—

[YouTube] On FRIDAY Digital’s “Entertainment Reporter Channel,” active reporters are spotlighting the wives and families who have been supporting the Japanese national team behind the scenes as they wage fierce battles in a series titled “The ‘Unexpected’ True Faces of the Soccer Wives Supporting the World Cup Japanese National Team.”They thoroughly delve into and explain the “secret stories” of the families behind the intense matches and the true faces of the wives.