Indescribable joy and tears from the bottom of the heart. In the 2022 season, Teruhito NAKAGAWA went through a tumultuous time.
In February, he scored the team's first goal in the opening match against Cerezo Osaka, and in the final match against Vissel Kobe in November, he marked the last goal. He led Yokohama F.Marinos to their first league title in 3 seasons. And after the friendly match with Roma (Italy) at the end of November at the Japan National Stadium, which was also the "Yokohama FM Last Match", he shed tears without hesitation and bid farewell to the fans and supporters.
I tried to confront them directly before the first match against my former team.
"What is Yokohama FM?"
To my surprise, after a brief moment of silence, the response I received was different from what I had imagined, such as "my favorite team" or "like a second home."
"The club that saved me, right?"
Expressing my gratitude, I will reveal the reason behind it.
"I injured my right knee in my fourth year of university, and even though it was an injury that couldn't be helped without an offer, I still pursued it from my second year of university, and the scout came to the training ground many times and offered me. So, 'Marinos is the club that saved my soccer career', I think that's the most understandable expression."
I swore in my heart at that time.
"The greatest way to repay Marinos is by winning the league."
The days of playing hard should have started after overcoming a long and difficult rehabilitation for that purpose.
However, the reality was harsh. In his rookie year of the 2015 season, he only played in 2 league matches and 1 Emperor's Cup match, and his position within the team did not change much in the 2016 season. In the summer, he made the decision to go on loan to FC Machida Zelvia in the J2 league, and after the end of the season, he returned to Yokohama FM, but in the middle of the 2017 season, he went on a training journey to Avispa Fukuoka, who was then in the J2 league. In his fourth season, after spending three seasons with unfinished business, Nakagawa made up his mind.
"When I returned to the 2018 season, I decided, 'I will definitely not go on a temporary transfer this season.' No matter how I am treated, even if I cannot play in the game, I will finish and see it through for one year with Marinos. Even if I couldn't get involved in the game, I had the feeling of wanting to make a permanent transfer to another team in the next season."
Then, fate began to move in a good direction. He was recognized by manager Ange POSTECOGLOU, who took office in the 2018 season, and gradually increased his playing time. In the second half of the season, he became a regular starter. In the 2019 season, he was placed as a key player and became the driving force behind the league victory for the first time in 15 seasons. He played a career-high 33 games and scored a career-high 15 goals, winning the top scorer and also the J.League MVP and Best Eleven. He swept the individual awards.
From there, I suffered from injuries again for two seasons and experienced "difficult and unsatisfactory" times. However, in the 2022 season, I fully recovered and gained the strength to overcome the wall by persevering and struggling during difficult times. "I have also experienced a major injury and have had times when I couldn't play in games, but I was able to see the best scenery again by not giving up." After achieving my second league championship, I was also filled with thoughts and emotions that I had been vaguely thinking about since before the final match.
"If I had been with Marinos, I might have been able to win more championships and I also had the desire to increase the number of titles, including cup competitions, but I felt it was a good time to move on. It's a good timing and a good way to end my time with Marinos."
After six months since making the decision with unwavering determination, I have been taught that "life has its ups and downs". The club that saved me and allowed me to experience the highs and lows as a professional soccer player, I will finally face them in a match. Nakagawa is calm before the "exciting battle". There is no sign of nostalgia or sentimentality.
"Of course I love Marinos, but I have to love the team I am on the most. I am already dyed in Tokyo, so I will fight with the blue and red spirit. I love Tokyo that much, and I have come with that much determination. Marinos is now the enemy. If I have a fluffy feeling, I don't think I can play well at all, so I have the feeling of knocking down Marinos."
During the interview leading up to the Yokohama FM match, there was one moment where his expression relaxed. The topic was brought up about which player he was looking forward to facing. "I've gotten along with a lot of players, so there's no one in particular," he said, but as expected, a certain name was mentioned.
"Keybo (Takuya KIDA) is thinking of going to get a haircut (laughs). We still go out to eat occasionally, and when we do, he'll say, 'I'll come at you hard' and Keybo will respond with something like, 'I'll come at you too.' I want to have a fierce battle without any injuries."
Finally, I also heard the thoughts of the Tricolor fans and supporters who are looking forward to the reunion.
"I would like to win and go to greet, but no matter what the result is, I will go and it is polite to go with a smile even if I lose. Anyway, it would be nice to be able to show that I am doing well."
Even though he started to say, "But I still want to win. I want to win," his mischievous and determined expression at the end was very characteristic of Nakagawa.
After 6 months since the tearful farewell, when Yokohama FM won at home at Ajinomoto, Nakagawa became a true blue and red shining person.
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golazo, FC Tokyo Correspondent)
