[Full Text Published] Overcoming Adversity: “I’ll Be the Spark for Our Offense!”—Keito Nakamura, the “Too-Handsome Key Player,” Makes His Pledge

Long-awaited World Cup appearance

“We broke down the defense well and created chances. Personally, there was a moment where I really wanted to finish it off, but I hesitated between shooting and passing, and ended up with a half-hearted shot… I still have a long way to go in terms of finishing quality. That said, rather than being in peak form right now, I just hope to be at my best for the tournament itself.”

After a 1-0 victory over Iceland in Japan’s final friendly before the World Cup, Keito Nakamura (25), who started at left wingback, spoke about the challenges ahead and the positive signs he saw.

The North and Central America tournament will be Nakamura’s first World Cup. He said he learned of his selection during the live stream of the May 15 press conference. Although he has been consistently called up since making his senior national team debut after the last World Cup in Qatar, he still recalls, “I was watching the stream with my heart pounding.”

“I was confident in what I’d accomplished up to that point, but you never know what might happen until you’re actually selected. The reaction on social media and elsewhere when I made the squad was on a completely different level compared to my previous national team experiences.”

The World Cup has been a special stage for him since childhood. The 2006 World Cup in Germany, which he watched in his final year of kindergarten, shaped the course of his life.

“I loved Ronaldinho. Back then, the Brazilian team was a star-studded squad featuring Kaka, Robinho, Ronaldo, and ‘Robecal.’ It was so much fun to watch. I got completely hooked on soccer and started attending the Kashiwa Reysol soccer school in third grade.”

He watched the previous World Cup in Qatar, which took place when he was 22, on TV.

“I watched it as a fan. They beat Germany and Spain in such dramatic fashion—I thought, ‘Wow, that’s amazing’ (laughs).”

And this time, Nakamura is heading into the CONCACAF tournament as a key player for the Japanese national team.

“The Duo Is Back” on the Left Wing

The growing expectations for Nakamura are also driven by the team’s situation on the left flank.Takumi Minamino (31) is sidelined after suffering a severe injury—a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee—last December. Additionally, Kaoru Mitoma (29), who injured his left hamstring in a league match in early May, has also been forced to withdraw from the World Cup.

In March’s match against England at the iconic Wembley Stadium, Nakamura started at left wingback and Mitoma at left shadow striker.The two displayed superb chemistry while skillfully switching positions, and Mitoma scored the winning goal off a final pass from Nakamura. Given that their partnership held such great promise for the World Cup itself, Mitoma’s absence is a major blow.

“He must be the most disappointed of all, and there’s no point in talking about a player who isn’t here. Personally, I’m not entirely sure whether I’ll play as a wingback or in the shadow striker role. Whatever the situation turns out to be , I hope to link up well with players in nearby positions.”

In the first half of the match against Iceland, he partnered with Junya Ito (33), who played as the left shadow striker, on the left flank. The two have a history of playing together at Stade de Reims.

“I played with Junya-kun at Reims, and I think our chemistry was really good. We broke down the defense a few times in good ways, and I think we can bring that to the actual match. If we keep practicing, it should get even better.”

Nakamura has delivered results against top-tier nations. His goal against Brazil and his assist in the final at Wembley—behind those moments lay a little-known struggle.

“Stade Reims was in France’s second division during the ’25–’26 season. I don’t really want to talk about this, but I wasn’t satisfied with being in the second division. I had a strong desire to prove myself. I believed that to qualify for the World Cup, I needed to make my presence known against powerhouses like Brazil and England.”

Last summer, when Stade de Reims was relegated to Ligue 2, Nakamura wanted to leave. However, negotiations fell through, and he ended up spending the crucial season leading up to the World Cup in Ligue 2.

“The team wasn’t getting results, and I was often criticized by supporters and fans, which made me feel frustrated a lot. That year felt incredibly long.”

Still, he racked up goals toward the end of the season, finishing with 14. Although the team missed promotion to the top division, he managed to score in double digits for the second consecutive year.

“To be honest, it’s true that I struggled to stay motivated. But what kept me going was the motivation that ‘the World Cup is coming after the season.’”

It was precisely because he played in such a challenging environment that he gained valuable experience.

“The intensity of one-on-one defensive situations wasn’t that different from the top division, and since our team had a lot of young players who were constantly taking on defenders individually, it was sometimes difficult to break down the defense through teamwork with my teammates.I’d find myself in one-on-one situations on the attack five or six times a game, and since there wasn’t much support from my teammates, I made a conscious effort to take the shot myself whenever I had a chance. I think that proactive, attacking mindset is paying off for me on the national team as well.”

Emotions Affect Play

Japan will face the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden, in that order, in Group F.

“Sweden, which struggled in the qualifiers, seems to be gaining momentum after winning the playoffs. I don’t think a group with two European teams will be easy. However, every country that makes it to the World Cup is strong. In that sense, it doesn’t matter who we face.”

Japan’s first opponent is the Netherlands. With the attacking Denzel Dumfries (30) on the right wing, if Nakamura plays as the left wingback, he’ll have a major defensive role to play.

“I won’t be facing him alone. The player on the left in our three-man backline will back me up. It’s important to use my body against the attacking player and not lose the battle. I just need to stay focused.”

The national team’s most handsome player is hugely popular with fans of all ages and genders, but he isn’t the least bit frivolous. “Before a match, you’d think I’d want to listen to upbeat songs, but actually, I listen to slow-tempo ballads,” Nakamura revealed.

“Emotions affect my play. In soccer, there’s no point in getting hyped up on your own. It’s about staying calm and doing what I’m capable of. That’s what matters.”

What exactly can Nakamura do? “Plays that lead to goals or assists,” he replied.

“As long as I lay a solid foundation for the team through hard work and defense, I just want to bring my own style to the game. I hope to help the team by serving as the starting point for our attacks.”

Transforming both the frustration he experienced in France’s second division and the confidence he gained at Wembley into strength, Keito Nakamura is poised to make Japan’s left flank his own at his first World Cup.

From the June 26–July 3, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*