Fifth Grand Stage and Title Victory in TokyoThe fierce tiger takes on the "last big challenge of life"
DF 5 Yuto NAGATOMO
Introducing all the Blue-Red warriors participating in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League 2026 season in 'PLAYERS FILE 2026.' What kind of thoughts do the players hold, and with what determination are they preparing to face the special half-season tournament and the year ahead?
Yuto NAGATOMO takes on the well-known major challenge. Now turning 40 years old, he maintains a level of physical and mental strength that can only be described as 'monster,' aiming to win a title with the red and blue and to participate in his fifth FIFA World Cup. Living with extreme discipline, Nagatomo talks about his determination to face the 'final big challenge of his life.'
Sunlight streams in, making his eyes sparkle. Yuto NAGATOMO, who will turn 40 this September, faces soccer more seriously and purely from the heart than anyone else. He has positioned his 19th professional season, with the challenge of participating in his fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup, as "the final big challenge of his life."
"Tokyo's title and Club World Cup participation. I believe that if I don't achieve these two goals and dreams, my entire career built up until now will be completely lost."
To win that match, we asked Yuto NAGATOMO about his "2026 season theme." Then, Yuto smirked and raised the corners of his mouth.
"He's no longer human. Nagatomo, that guy is already a carnivore. He's becoming a tiger."
The nostalgic phrase evoked a sense of déjà vu, making me involuntarily mutter, "It reminds me of the 2008 season."
On April 12, 2008, before the J1 League Sec. 6 match against Verdy, when asked "What kind of match will it be?", he himself mentioned the rivalry axis of "Superhuman Hulk (player FUKKI) VS Gorilla," helping to build excitement. When the match unfolded, he played a major role on the pitch by restricting the freedom of former Brazil national team forward FUKKI and inducing the own goal that became the winning goal. This caught the eye of Takeshi OKADA, then coach of the Japan national team, who was visiting for scouting, and he was selected for the Japan national team candidate training camp immediately afterward. The following month, he earned his first cap for the Japan national team.
And then, Nagatomo added these words, saying "Yes, yes, yes," just like that day.
"So, I want to go back to basics, or rather, express that level of fierce intensity and wild strength on the pitch. To become a ferocious tiger in every performance. This year is the Year of the Horse, but I was born in the Year of the Tiger. I want to make this a year to show the power, flexibility, and strength like a tiger."
Changing the Year of the Horse to the "Nagatomo" Year. That was the declaration of determination. In the 2022 season, right after the World Cup in Qatar, the following was written on the updated SNS.
"After being released from the intense tension of the World Cup and returning to everyday life, my heart feels empty, and I can't quite put my emotions into words. Having drained myself both mentally and physically, I want to forget about soccer and take a slow rest. From now on, I want to decide the path forward while conversing with the emotions that appear within my heart. Rather than choosing the correct answer, I want to make my own choice the correct one." (Original text)
Nothing changes. Always fresh, we have continued to chase the ball rolling with freshly picked ambition.
"Look, I'm the most passionate player on this team. That part is a bit lonely. I want there to be many more players with that same burning passion. That kind of passion also ignites my own heart. I hope players who can ignite the flame in each person's heart will appear even more."
Now, the life-or-death big match begins. When asked, "Do you think you can win?", Nagatomo repeats, "I think I can win..." while shaking his head.
"We play because we can win. There is absolutely no image of losing."
It was a foolish question for Yuto NAGATOMO, who leads his own choices to the right answer.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
