"I want to become bigger and bigger, to be the best full-back in the world, and to wear the blue and red uniform again so that I can stand on this pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium."
A lot of time has passed since that tearful speech in the 2010 season. The flow from blue and red, which started with Yuto NAGATOMO, has continued to accelerate since then.
In the 2019 season, Takefusa KUBO, who transferred to Real Madrid, stood in front of the microphone at the rain-soaked Ajinomoto Stadium.
"Since coming back to Japan, I've mostly been in Tokyo, and at first, I didn't really want to practice and went through some tough times. It wasn't all good, but I feel very proud to be able to represent Tokyo as a full-fledged football player and spread my wings to the world. I think it's been about four and a half years since I came to Tokyo, and it has been such a rich experience that I didn't even want to go to Europe. It was a difficult decision, but I take pride in my choice, and I will never forget my time in Tokyo... Thank you very much."
With those words as a farewell gift, I prepared for my journey and became a person in the sky.
Each of them sets off with dreams and hopes packed in their luggage. Kubo also has a goal in mind, but he says, "However, if I can't achieve it, it doesn't mean anything to say it out loud," and he hasn't put it into words. However, there is one dream he spoke of during his time in Tokyo.
"There is a player that everyone admired as a child. I want to become a player like that someday."
The manuscript drawn at that time concluded with the sentence, 'The day when Takefusa KUBO becomes a new role model for children who are captivated by the rolling ball may not be so far in the future.'
After several more years, he stood on the pitch of the World Cup Qatar tournament, and this season he is also competing on the stage of the UEFA Champions League as a member of Real Sociedad. Undoubtedly, he has become an object of admiration for children, and "TAKE" is sure to show us further adventures from here.
And so, after 11 years, Nagatomo, who took the lead, kept his promise in the summer of the 2021 season and returned to Tokyo once again. That is why he has expressed the feelings and pride that this club has cherished.
"We must show a spirit of perseverance and determination. That is also a tradition of Tokyo. We, who have inherited various things, must demonstrate that. I believe supporters are moved and their hearts are stirred by our dynamic movements and earnest attitude as we push forward. I want to convey that."
A large back that has marked a quarter of a century points the way forward for the blue and red. The soil that nurtured Yuto NAGATOMO and Takefusa Kubo has entered the next cycle.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
[25 Years of Journey] Special Column Here
25 Years of Journey vol.1 Things Not to Be Forgotten
25 Years of Journey vol.2 The Path to the First Title
25 Years of Journey vol.3 Blue Tokyo
25 Years of Journey vol.4 What Was Gained from Relegation and Promotion
25 Years of Journey vol.5 The Path Forward
