In the 2023 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 10 match against Albirex Niigata, Hotaka NAKAMURA, who suffered a serious injury with a ruptured right Achilles tendon, has joined the team for full practice after a long absence of about 9 months. He spoke about his determination for this season, the bonds with his teammates during the rehabilitation period, the achievements of his peers, and his feelings towards the fans and supporters.
Q: On January 27, I joined the team practice, including game-form training. Did you feel anything different upon returning?
A, I was told by Keigo HIGASHI that I have a good face. I thought soccer was fun, and I believe that feeling naturally showed on my face. There are many thoughts that come to mind when I stand on the pitch, but the most important is that I am enjoying soccer. It's the feeling of running up the pitch and realizing, yes, this is it, I have come back here. However, I have only returned to the starting point. It became a day where I was able to have the resolve that a new battle begins from here.
Q: After a period of 9 months, I have returned to full training. During this time, what were you thinking about?
AHonestly, there were so many things that I don't remember some parts. To put it in one word, it was really tough. Regarding the healing process of my Achilles tendon and rehabilitation, I was supported by many people, including trainers and doctors. I felt like I had no choice but to go for it, and I was able to come this far without compromise, but it took a lot of time to accept the reality of my injury, and the mental aspect was really difficult.
Q: Despite having made a significant commitment for the 2023 season, you had to leave due to a serious injury. I believe the frustration must have lingered strongly.
AIn the 2022 season, it was the first year under the management of Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, and I personally went through a really difficult season, but I also gained a lot. I felt that I couldn't be satisfied with not achieving results with the team in Tokyo; it would mean running away from the current situation. I questioned myself about that part and have been fighting with determination every season, but for the 2023 season, my feelings are so strong that they cannot be expressed in words. From the camp, I went full throttle, and after the league started, I was able to accumulate assists and goals at a good pace. If I could play throughout the season, I would see a whole new world――. It was an injury that happened at a timing when I was thinking that way, so it took time to accept it.
Q: During the period of injury, did you gain any new sensations or insights?
A, no matter how much you study and take care of your body, there is always a risk of injury, and there are people who do not get injured even without meticulous care. In a way, I think there is an element of luck involved. If you keep thinking about the injury you sustained, it tends to negate everything you have done up to that point, and that is something I wanted to avoid. I accepted that the injury had happened and during the recovery period, I spoke with the trainers every day, incorporated their opinions, and engaged more with my body.
I have no regrets about the injuries I sustained. When I look back at myself before the injury, I can confidently say, 'I did what I could.' As I mentioned earlier, the risk of injury is always present, and there are often things beyond our control. Fundamentally, I worked with my trainer to figure out how to heal and improve. First and foremost, it was important to fully recover from my Achilles tendon injury and return at 100 percent. I believe I have always been able to create a state where I can think that I have done my best to avoid regretting the days I spent when something happened.
I was the most depressed in my life, and there were times when I couldn't see the future and thought I could no longer play soccer. It was the same when I suffered a knee injury, and with the ups and downs of my mental state, I inevitably moved in a negative direction. In terms of maintaining a positive mindset, I was truly supported by many people. There were parts where I surely would have failed on my own; regarding mental management, I had a very stable mindset with minimal fluctuations, and this was one of the areas where I was able to grow.
Q: You actively participated in the team's activities during the rehabilitation period.
AI received a request to become the players' representative at the beginning of the season. I hadn't considered becoming the players' representative myself, but I decided that if I was going to do it, I would do everything I could both on and off the pitch. If it ultimately helps improve Tokyo, I would give my all regardless of whether it was on or off the pitch. In the 2023 season, I ended up getting injured, and when I thought about what I could do at that moment, I realized that while I couldn't contribute on the pitch, there were many ways I could contribute to the team off the pitch. With the mindset of doing what I can, I got involved in various activities.
Q, in terms of the "people who supported me," the message T-shirt for injured player Nakamura was very impressive.
A, regarding that T-shirt issue, I was of course not informed about anything, and I was watching the Kawasaki Frontale match on DAZN in the hospital room right after my surgery. After the match ended, I saw the players doing their lap wearing the same T-shirt, and when I looked closely, I was surprised to see a message written on it. It struck me that everyone on the team was really waiting for me, and at a time when I had just finished surgery and would need a long time to return, the image of them wearing the T-shirt came to my mind. My teammates fought desperately, won the Tamagawa Classico, and wore the message T-shirt. If there are so many people waiting for me, it would be disrespectful to dwell on negativity, and I thought about whether I could meet everyone again in this condition. It was an extremely tough time, but it was also the moment I solidified my determination, and it became a support during those difficult times.
"with Hotaka - The Story Behind the Birth of the Message T-Shirt" ishere
Q: During the same period, there were also messages from fans and supporters.
A, it may sound like a nice sentiment, but I was able to feel once again that “I’m not alone after all.” As mentioned earlier, many people have sent me messages and are waiting for my return, so I felt that I must definitely go back to that place. I have to turn negative feelings and hardships into power, and I have no choice but to return no matter what. I believe that this is the only way I can repay the fans and supporters, and no matter how cool I may sound saying it, players can only give back through soccer and their performance. The only thing I can do for the fans and supporters is to show them my performance on the pitch. Tough battles and competition for positions are certainly ahead, but I want to believe in myself and do my best.
Q, the competition for positions is exciting from here on out.
AThis season, I believe there is not a single player guaranteed a starting position, regardless of the position. I think we have become a team with a deep roster. However, that's how it is in the world of professional soccer. There are no excuses for injuries. I want to dive into the fierce competition from the start and definitely seize my position to prove my abilities.
Q: Don't you have a strong desire not to lose to Shuto ABE and Kazuya KONNO?
A, of course, I am happy about their current success, but to be honest, the feeling of regret is stronger. I myself have fallen behind due to injury, but I am ready to overtake them. I believe that being able to think, 'Kong-chan and Hirato, wait for me. I will catch up and surpass you soon' is what makes us peers. Although our positions are different, they are my peers and teammates, and I absolutely do not want to lose to them. I will definitely overtake them.
