On the fifth day of camp, there was only a morning practice, and some players also participated in afternoon training.
Since last night, Yuto NAGATOMO and Keigo HIGASHI have arrived in Okinawa and joined today's practice.
Today, we divided into positions, with the attacking players focusing on finishing and the defensive players working on drills that reflected various situations in the match.
In the finishing practice, we repeatedly received passes in front of the goal and took shots, while being aware of the goalkeeper's preparation for the shots.
In the defensive menu, the coaching staff played the role of the opponent, and the players practiced building up play by connecting the ball from the defensive line while checking their positioning.
Finally, we confirmed set plays in preparation for the first external match of the season scheduled for tomorrow. We concluded the fifth day of practice with a focus on real match situations.
After lunch, player Nagatomo, who announced his contract renewal yesterday, responded to media interviews.
Many media representatives rushed to Okinawa. Player Nagatomo has shared passionate words about Tokyo. We will publish some excerpts, so please take a look.
Q: Yesterday, the contract renewal was announced, and in the comments, you mentioned, "I took my time to think about how I want to live my life moving forward." Can you share how you were thinking about this internally leading up to the contract renewal? What feelings led you to decide on the contract renewal?
After the World Cup, I wanted to take a break both physically and mentally, so I took my time to rest without thinking about soccer until the New Year. However, during that month, I reflected on myself and considered the path I want to take moving forward. I felt a great and profound passion for soccer, and as that feeling solidified, a strong desire to win a title in Tokyo and raise the trophy began to grow within me. The discussions with Tokyo started after the New Year. After talking, Tokyo expressed that they needed me, which I believe led to this contract.
Q: What are your thoughts after finishing your first practice today, and could you tell us what kind of conversation you had with Chairman Nonomura, who was also present?
I felt a sense of relief returning to my home. Seeing the smiles of my teammates, including coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA and the staff, made me want to contribute even more to this team. I discussed with Chairman Nonomura how we can further enhance the J League in the future.
Q: I believe the memories of your performance in the World Cup are still fresh, but as you head into a new season, how is the training camp in Okinawa, including the training environment?
A, Okinawa is a place I love so much that I come here every year during the off-season. It allows me to relax, and I think it has a wonderful environment where time flows slowly. Being able to start again in such a place is very happy for me, and I want to receive great energy from this land and give it back to the team.
Q: This season, Shuhei TOKUMOTO from Okinawa has joined us. He plays the same position; what is your impression of TOKUMOTO?
A, I haven't seen him play yet, so I don't know the details since we haven't practiced together, but I've heard that he is left-footed and has high quality, so I'm really looking forward to playing together. I'm also very welcome to the competition for positions. Being able to compete with wonderful players is something I'm very proud of as a professional, and I believe we can have high-level competition. The phrase 'to yield in this professional world' doesn't exist, but within that, I want to engage in fierce competition where we can grow together and ultimately contribute to the team, aiming for that high level of competition.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for this season.
A, I believe that last season, under Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, a wonderful foundation was built for the team, and based on that foundation, I want to fight this season with the goal of winning a title. We have wonderful players, so I believe we can achieve that dream and goal.
Q: Please tell us about the team's goals and your personal goals as a player.
A, the team's goal is, as mentioned earlier, the J.League title. Personally, I want to first demonstrate my abilities on the pitch as a player and contribute to the team's strength. Additionally, I have had many wonderful experiences, both overseas and with the Japan national team at the World Cup, so I believe my major goal is to ensure that I can pass on those experiences to the younger players and juniors.
Q: In four years, there will be the World Cup in 2026. Please share your feelings about your activities with the Japan national team and your thoughts on the World Cup at this moment.
A, I will say it again, the more you experience the World Cup, the more you become captivated by it, and the desire to fight as a player in this place always remains. As long as I am an active player, I want to aim for the Japan national team, so first, I believe that by demonstrating my abilities under a wonderful coach, staff, and teammates in Tokyo, it will lead me on the path to the Japan national team.
Q: After the Qatar World Cup, what is the essence of soccer that is needed? Is it the toughness that does not succumb to that level of intensity, or is it mental strength? How would you articulate that? Please tell us how much of this is currently present in Tokyo and how much is lacking.
To get closer to the top of the world, first of all, we need to improve our physicality in duels and battles for the ball. Additionally, as seen in the Final Round of the World Cup, everyone is truly fighting for the ball with all their might, and even the so-called genius Messi showed incredible defense and dueling skills. This must become the standard for the world's top players. Furthermore, when considering global standards, including not only Tokyo but also the J-League, I feel that we lack strength in these duels. Having fought in Europe for over 11 years and played hundreds of matches representing my country in the World Cup, I believe that the strength in these duels, which is not just about physical strength but also about spirit and soul, is still something that Japanese players are lacking. To raise this standard, I must show it in the J-League in Tokyo. It's easy to say it, but I want to fight this season to ensure that I can truly demonstrate it.
Q: I believe it was a World Cup that you dedicated your life to, but what was the main reason you stayed active even in a state where it wouldn't have been surprising to burn out?
I have dedicated everything to this World Cup over the past four years, so to be honest, I hadn't thought at all about the future after the World Cup. However, during this past month of self-reflection, one major inspiration came from watching the final match between Argentina and France. I was truly shocked and received an immense amount of energy from it. It reminded me of the greatness of soccer and how it can move people so deeply. I realized that I have had the opportunity to stand on that stage. And if I don't give up, I might be able to return to that stage in the future. I felt a strong surge of passion, and I understood that seizing this future depends on me. If I continue playing soccer, I want to win titles in this beloved Tokyo with an amazing coach, Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, who has helped me grow, and with the best teammates. I also want to create the condition to compete again at the national level and play, and that is how I feel.
Q: I think you have spent a lot of time with your family during this past month. Please tell us about your family's and children's reactions to hearing that you, Nagatomo, will continue your career as a professional player.
A, I don't think the kids understand that much, but my wife seemed to want me to continue playing, and she was really happy. Since my body is still moving well and she was cheering for me up close at the Qatar World Cup, it seems she wished for me to continue. So, she was really happy.
Q: After it was decided that we would be eliminated from the World Cup, you mentioned the need to invigorate the J-League, which I believe is something you have been saying since our first participation in the World Cup. Please share your feelings about wanting to invigorate the J-League again and how much you want to develop Japanese football through this effort.
I believe that without the development of the J.League, there can be no development of the Japan national team. After all, I grew up in the J.League, went abroad, and then returned. The players who are currently playing overseas have also grown and developed in the J.League and are now active. I believe that the J.League is the foundation of Japanese soccer. If the level of this foundation does not rise, there will be no development of the Japan national team. That is why I think it is important to give back the experiences I have cultivated so far to help develop the J.League, which would be a significant way to repay the Japan national team. I owe my current self to both the Japan national team and the J.League, so I believe I can make a significant contribution. If we do not do this, I think there will be no future development of the Japan national team.
Q: You mentioned earlier your desire to hold the trophy. Please tell us about your feelings towards winning the championship.
A, my feelings are so intense that I can hardly express them with my vocabulary. Tokyo has experience winning cup competitions, but has not won in the J-League. I believe it is the team that must create the most excitement in the capital city of Tokyo. It is very sad that this team has not yet raised the trophy, and I personally find it difficult, so I want to do my best to ensure that we can raise the trophy this season, carrying the pride of Tokyo and the blue and red. I believe everything is in place. I think we have the members, the coach, and the staff capable of achieving this.
Q: Nagatomo, who is always shining, how much is your shine right now?
A, is it dazzling? I first returned my hair color to black, but the level of dazzling hasn't changed. In fact, I think it has increased. My passion is burning. I returned my hair color because the World Cup is a festival, and since the festival is over, I want to start fresh and focus on my current work. I returned to black in the sense of dedicating everything. Therefore, compared to red, it may look plain, but my heart is passionately burning.
Q: What issues would you like to address?
A, there are too many challenges. I have never been satisfied with myself, but in this World Cup, I have really seen many of my own issues, and of course, it's everything. I think I need to improve on all aspects, including physical fitness, skills, and tactical elements. I believe my mental state has reached a top level in the world, but when considering the global standards for physical fitness and skills, I still have a long way to go. Some may think that at my age, I won't be able to improve anymore, but I believe that the moment I give up is when my dreams will end, so I will not give up. I have achieved everything so far with the image that I can do it, so I believe I can do it.
Q: Regarding your mentality, did this confidence come from the World Cup, or have you always had the belief that you wouldn't lose?
A, this means that you have reaffirmed your strength in this World Cup. I have experienced it four times so far, but I can confidently say that I have not been as strong as I am now. Looking back at these four experiences, I feel that I have grown the most, and my mental strength has become robust.
Q: Earlier you mentioned being captivated by the World Cup, but what exactly do you mean by captivated?
A, everyone, I think you can tell by looking at my eyes when I shouted Bravo, but it's quite rare for a person to be so excited while living a normal life. The excitement comes from the joy and pride of competing in this precious World Cup that happens once every four years, and feeling the pressure and weight of carrying the national flag. I felt that this is truly an honor as a professional football player. Therefore, as a football player, the World Cup, where you can feel everything, only happens once every four years. And the more you experience it, the more you become captivated by the World Cup, that's what it is.
Q: In four years, there will be another World Cup in three and a half years. Is Yuto Nagatomo looking ahead to three and a half years from now, or is he focusing on the accumulation of each year leading up to the World Cup?
A, both. Of course, I believe that you cannot reach that place without being able to imagine everything. However, I can envision myself three and a half years from now. But just that is not enough, so year by year, really day by day, I think it’s a daily battle to see how much I can improve myself through practice starting today, and how much closer I can get to my ideal self three and a half years from now. Therefore, I hope to overcome myself and show an interesting Nagatomo again.
Q: Will we be able to hear shouts like Bravo again?
A, I don't know myself. Those words came from instinct, so I can't guarantee anything here as they come from the soul, but I think it will be interesting again. Please look forward to what the excited Nagatomo will do.
Q: There was a bravo and welcoming reaction from all over Japan following yesterday's announcement, not just from fans and supporters. How do you feel about such reactions?
First of all, I feel happy, and I truly feel that my passion increases with every 'bravo' I receive. Even today, the coach told me to 'take your time to build your body' and 'take it easy', but I feel like I want to play a match right now. I'm that excited. This 'bravo' might be a word I have expressed myself, but receiving so many of them gives me courage and fuels my passion.
Finally, here is a glimpse of off-the-pitch moments.
The training camp is located near the sea, where you can enjoy the scenery of the blue sky and ocean. The players also take the time to head to the beach to refresh themselves.
A temperature suitable for entering the sea. It's that time when fatigue starts to build up, but these two also gave me great smiles.
Tomorrow's practice match will be against the local Meio University.
The match will kick off at 10:15, consisting of two halves of 30 minutes each and one half of 20 minutes.
We would appreciate it if attendees could check the precautions.
https://www.fctokyo.co.jp/news/14344
