Q, winning the 2020 Levain Cup was also the first title for player Nagai, wasn't it a significant event in his career?
A, the Final Round was held in January, and usually it would have taken place before the league matches ended, but since all other official matches were finished, it felt unique. I had never played soccer until that time, and it was strange to still be active even after the New Year (laughs). Personally, I had been focusing on the Final Round due to shoulder surgery and other factors, so it remains in my memory.
Q: How did it feel the moment you won the title?
A, it felt great, didn't it? Rather than myself, it was a feeling of happiness seeing the fans and supporters so delighted.
Q: You have experience on the big stage with the national team, but was the joy of winning different there?
A, it's a championship after all. It's different from each match in the league. It's a one-off match, and it has a somewhat unique atmosphere. It was my first Final Round, and being able to play in the new Japan National Stadium was special as well. Since it's a match where nothing remains if you lose, the relief of winning was even greater.
Q: Has there been a change within you since winning the title?
A, honestly, there isn't anything in particular. I was over 30 years old, and as a football player, I had developed a certain mindset. I thought that perhaps it was because of the accumulation of experiences I had built up towards that point that I was able to win the title. It feels like I have finally arrived here after all that accumulation.
Q: Once you win one, does your desire for the next title become stronger?
A, it's the league title. There is also the difficulty that you can't win it without working hard throughout the year, and during my time here, we managed to reach 2nd place. That's why the desire to win it becomes stronger, right?
Q: Young players are actively utilized in the Levain Cup. What is your impression of their play?
AI was watching the match against Iwata from the stands, and I thought it might be okay to be a bit more reckless. It's the kind of play where you aggressively take on the challenge like Yuta ARAI. Watching him made me think that being young is great. Youth is the strongest weapon (laughs). I believe that the young players around him have that too, and I hope they can make the most of it. There’s a difference in perspective between players who have that aggressiveness and those who don’t, and the experiences they gain are also different. I think they intend to show their feelings, but the way they express it might still be a bit cute.
Q: I want Arai to play with the same reckless abandon.
A, I think Yuta is really great (laughs). When I was around their age, I was really going for it, and when I was young, I was always trying to make things happen. I had the sense that it was a world where you couldn't survive unless you produced results. The younger generation of players today might feel like if they just wait, opportunities will come to them. Opportunities are something you have to seize, and if you don't produce results there, I don't think there will be another chance.
Q: Do you think the sense of crisis is something that is taught by seniors, or is it something that younger players feel on their own?
ARecently, there are fewer young players who take the initiative to approach veteran players. I feel that communication only happens when they make an effort to reach out. From my own experience, I believe that young players need to be proactive to make an impact, so I hope they come forward without hesitation. Of course, I understand that there are times when being aggressive is difficult depending on the flow of the game. As a player, I also need to focus on my own performance, but there are many players besides me who have experiences to share. I think it would be great if younger players could be more proactive and leave various impressions while considering the team.
