Kensuke NAGAI is straightforward yet complex.
A blazing speed of 50 meters in 5.8 seconds. It's a clear and obvious weapon to anyone's eyes. But there is a hidden charm. It might be the ability to care for teammates more than anyone else.
"You're really kind, aren't you?"
When asked that, Kensuke laughed it off saying, "No, no, I'm extremely strict, like a demon, a demon."
Without missing a beat, say, "No, no, wait a moment" to hold back.
Beneath that smile, kindness overflows. Not only in your play but also in your everyday self.
Pure feelings that never stop moving forward
Every time the rolling ball changes direction, swing your arms and step forward. Grit your teeth and keep chasing two, three times over. That effort is rarely rewarded. Even so, keep running.
Trust your teammates like an innocent baby――.
The turning point was said to be the Sec. 28 match of the 2018 J1 League on September 29 against Shimizu S-Pulse. The match was marked as FC Tokyo's 20th anniversary game. Wearing commemorative uniforms, more than 30,000 spectators gathered at the home Ajinomoto Stadium. However, the result was a 0-2 defeat. The player wearing number 11, who started on the bench, entered the pitch from the 26th minute of the second half but could not save the struggling team.
"It was a match that everyone prepared for together. Despite many fans and supporters coming, we ended up losing. That match was a turning point for me, realizing that if I don't change, nothing will change. Until now, Tokyo has lost during moments of high excitement like that. I realized that it is precisely at times like those that we must win; otherwise, the distance between the team and the fans and supporters won't close, and we won't be able to acquire a higher level of strength."
On the way back――. Feeling powerless, I was angry at myself out of frustration. I struggled silently with my worries. However, I made an effort to act cheerful in front of my teammates, thinking, "If I get depressed, this team will become really gloomy." But deep in my heart, I made a secret vow. "I thought I had to be the one to take action first. If I change, the team will change. That was the most important thing."
Daisuke UEMATSU, the conditioning advisor for Tokyo, describes Nagai's body, which supports extraordinary speed, as "close to art." His shoulder blades to the nape of his neck, and the bases of both legs, unnaturally raised like red clay, even surprise his teammates who say, "What is this?" Fully utilizing that physique, he has decided to squeeze out every last drop of sweat in every match.
"Winning as a team was the most important thing. I organized what I could do and thought about what the team needed. Whether the team gains momentum depends on me. For example, if I don't press in defense, the back line will drop back, and in attack, if I can push deep into the opponent's territory, the whole team can push up and play really good football. If I lead from the front and keep going, the others will follow. I set that standard. First, I have to show the attitude of going forward, and I've always thought and acted that way from there."
Taking the lead this season, he has continued to start from the opening match and remained on the pitch as an indispensable presence for the team competing for the championship. His performance of 9 goals in 33 matches is also because he places complete trust in his teammates.
"I can run because I trust the teammates behind me. It might be difficult if they are completely unfamiliar members. The players behind move toward the ball, pushing up with a good sense of distance. I don't expect to get the ball myself. When we can take the ball at the second or third stage, that leads to a 'fast break.' That becomes a scoring opportunity."
In the words he uttered, I felt his warmth――.
A Comfortable Space with Good Companions
One day, I became obsessed, and in my elementary school graduation essay, I wrote "My dream for the future: professional soccer player." It may seem like the typical path of a soccer boy, but it was a little different. I recalled that there was no phrase like "absolutely" attached to it, as I traced back my own memories.
He started playing soccer in Brazil, the soccer kingdom where he spent his childhood, following his older brother who is two years his senior. After returning to Japan, he followed the same path as his brother through elementary, middle, and high school.
"When I was in elementary school, I was extremely competitive and had a sharp tongue. I was a bad kid who complained whenever I lost. But when I entered middle school, I realized that attitude wouldn't work. I stopped complaining so much to those around me. Why did that happen? Even I found it strange. In my graduation essays, I wrote that I wanted to become a soccer player, but I wasn't particularly disciplined or making special efforts to reach that goal. I just kept playing soccer because I loved it, and as the competition got tougher, I accidentally ended up joining the Japan national team for my age group (U-18 Japan national team during my time at Fukuoka University). From there, my life changed."
For Nagai, "loving soccer" might have a slightly broader meaning. It’s not just about chasing the ball during practice or matches. On the way to and from, they would joke around, and sometimes have passionate conversations. There were always friends there, with smiles and tears overflowing. Being in that space, facing important people like that, was probably the most comforting thing of all.
"I will never betray anyone. That's why I always practice and play matches properly, and I've never faked being sick. I do things properly to pursue what I love. Sometimes I drink soda and eat snacks. But I never overindulge. I won't betray others or myself. If I don't do it, it will all show in the results. I absolutely don't want to cause trouble for the people around me."
Perhaps because of that personality, they quickly notice the subtle emotions of those around them.
"This year, I felt that both the fans and supporters have built a good relationship towards our first title. Even today, I can see that usual person over there, and I am fully aware of everyone cheering for us. It's enjoyable to play, and the atmosphere at matches held at Ajinomoto is different. Especially this year, I think they supported us even after we lost."
One of the symbolic matches was the J1 Sec. 26 match against Kashima Antlers on September 14. On that day, although we controlled the game, we couldn't score and the team lost 0-2. After the match, we were saved by the voices from the away goal stand saying, "We're still in first place," and "We'll keep going together from here."
After the mixed zone interview following the match ended, he loudly said, "Today's loss is my responsibility. If I had scored, we could have won the game. I'm sorry," and his emotions poured out as if a dam had broken.
"I feel frustrated with myself for not scoring in an important match. It was a game where I should have finished the chances and connected with the crosses. Against Kashima, we were breaking through and able to get into the opponent's penalty area. So, I thought it's not something others should worry about. When I was about to sink once, the words from behind the goal helped me. They supported us even away from home, and that really touched my heart."
To expand the circle together
This season, he returned to the Japan national team for the first time in four years. In the international friendly match against El Salvador, he scored two goals including his first goal for the national team. Under Hajime MORIYASU's management, he has played 6 matches and scored 3 goals. The media could not ignore his performance, and between national team and club duties, he received many interviews. Despite accumulated fatigue, he handled each task steadily while keeping a light-hearted attitude.
When the business staff sent a thank-you message, they received a reply saying, "It's natural to cooperate because everyone is doing their best. Isn't the atmosphere something we all create together?" When talking about that, at first they pretended, "Did I really send such a message?" but eventually gave in to the persistence and started to speak. The true feelings usually hidden behind their smile were glimpsed there.
"After all, it's about the team. It only works because there are behind-the-scenes staff and people who support us. If we don't do what we need to do, we players also have demands for the public relations team. But we can't just say, 'Do this for us' without doing anything ourselves. We want to build our relationship step by step and make it better. In that way, we can also close the gap with fans and supporters. I'm not good at closing that gap all at once. But I want to gradually expand the circle and work together with everyone."
After saying that, he looked embarrassed when he saw our impressed faces and continued, "I don't like talking about things like this. But the truth is, deep down, I do think that way. I just don't want to show it too much or let others notice."
"It's important. People who can work hard for others don't betray. People who can dedicate themselves to others even at the expense of themselves don't betray. I don't want to do anything that would betray those who have been good to me."
When connecting with others and trying to achieve something, it depends on whether you can respect people who act with different intentions and values from your own. This is important for running any organization. By that definition, having someone like Nagai on the team is indeed significant.
This season, I have often held dinner gatherings with Keigo HIGASHI, who I have a close family relationship with, and invited younger players to create opportunities for communication.
"This year, I thought Keigo HIGASHI would become the captain. But Keigo is the type to say, 'I'm fine as I am.' However, I believed that if given the role, he would definitely be able to change. When he became captain, I felt even more motivated to change myself. The young players also opened their hearts and came closer, which was significant. In five years, if that generation is not on the pitch, Tokyo cannot become stronger. We have to fight including that aspect. I want to make this a team that competes for the championship every year, and maintain a relationship where we can pass experience to the younger players. I don't know how long I can stay myself, though."
Out of affection, he often says or does the opposite of what he truly feels, which is probably just a way to hide his shyness. The more people get to know his thoughtful, honest, and straightforward personality, the more they come to like him.
Strict Father and Commander
Around him, good supporters gather. Coach HASEGAWA is one of them, and he has praised him wholeheartedly, saying, "Kensuke is 30 years old this year? He is still improving." This season, when the championship race reached its climax, a direct rallying cry came from the commander.
"Compete on your own. It's fine if you miss and lose. Play with the determination to lead your team to victory with your own hands."
The strict image of my father overlapped there. "He was scary because he would always mutter quietly when he got angry," I was raised strictly by my father, but I also felt his love on many occasions. "My father was also the second son and always wore hand-me-downs, which he disliked. So, it seems he told my mother to raise me the same way as my older brother. I think the part where I value human relationships the most is influenced by my father." His bluntness is also inherited from his father, but his consideration for others is well reflected in his play.
"My dad was strict. Dyeing my hair or getting piercings was not allowed. When I graduated from high school, he clearly told me, 'With an attitude like yours, you can't become a professional soccer player.' That changed after I graduated from university. But even now, I still get scolded a lot. Even though I have no soccer experience, if I show a passive attitude, he tells me to push harder. He has always watched over me through good times and bad. So, I can honestly accept that advice, thinking, 'Oh, I see.' I'm also lucky to have a coach who says things like that. There's also the joy of meeting those expectations."
Despite dislocating his right shoulder in Sec. 33 of this season's J1 League match against Urawa Reds, he forced himself to play in the final round's direct showdown for the league's first championship against the top-ranked Yokohama F. Marinos. In that, his own approach to football was fully reflected. If the coach or teammates needed him, there was no reason to refuse. Above all, it was probably because he wanted to "fight" with everyone until the very end. It was Nagai's own prickly version of "ONE FOR ALL."
We gave our all for 90 minutes. However, it was still not enough. To win the championship, we needed a victory by a margin of 4 goals or more, but the final whistle blew with a 0-3 score. Our first J1 title has been postponed.
Exhaling deeply, I lifted my gaze. The moment we lined up in front of the away goal stand, the chorus of "You’ll Never Walk Alone" reached my ears. That scene moved me deeply. I gained another reason to keep pushing forward.
"For one year, I was supported by my teammates, fans, and supporters, and received a lot of power. I was able to fight until the final match in this kind of atmosphere. I want to continue this from next season onward. This kind of tension is hard to experience. With this experience, I am sure I can grow again. I want to make use of what I gained from losing in the future."
For Everyone to Be Happy
After turning 30, there aren't many things I wish for――.
"It's a matter of whether you do it or not. As you get older, it's easy to fall into the mentality of 'I can't do it anymore.' The key is how much you can avoid thinking that way. Maybe it's better to say you have to challenge yourself. There is no player with a playing style like mine. Since there is no role model, I can only stick to this style. Players who were fast tend to drop positions or change their playing style as they age, but I don't like that. If I stop chasing, I'm not myself. I've been chasing since around the London Olympics, and if that disappears, it would definitely be different."
Straightforwardly, I asked, "Do you have a goal?"
"Future goals? I want everyone to be happy. Well, for myself, I just want to live happily with the people around me. I think that's the most important thing. I don't have any desire to achieve something alone or to do something on my own. But I definitely want to win the league with these teammates."
Sharing joy together, sharing anger together, sharing tears together, and knowing the joy of sharing all of that with everyone. And he keeps running to laugh with his friends.
"People who don't know me probably think I don't think about anything. I don't mind if they think that, and I don't really want them to come close either. It's troublesome, you know... But you want to show your true self to the people and friends who matter to you, right?"
The expression that accompanied those words was, after all, a carefree smile. I want you to listen to Kensuke NAGAI's honest feelings, which he usually doesn't express much. If you do, you will surely come to like him even more. The speedster cutting through the wind gathers those affections and keeps running. That is the form of football that Kensuke NAGAI loved.
◇Kensuke NAGAI Profile
text by Kohei Baba
photo by Kenichi Arai, Masahito Sasaki
