If we do not raise the trophy
we cannot engrave our name in the club's history
DF 5 Yuto NAGATOMO
A special content introducing all the blue and red warriors challenging the 2024 season. What are the players, who are about to start the season, thinking and what determination do they have as they face the year? The stories of the players, who hold in their hearts their love for the club, their thirst for titles, their aspirations for success, and the roles they must fulfill──. Yuto NAGATOMO, who continues to grow with relentless effort and overwhelming ambition. His footprints are extremely vivid from the perspective of those around him. However, he is not satisfied at all. He understands better than anyone what he must bring to Tokyo.
He has played for strong teams across various European countries and has participated in the FIFA World Cup for four consecutive tournaments. Yet, he says with a serious face, "I have never been satisfied." In an attempt to understand the thought process of such a man, I try to engage in a verbal rally. However, I always find myself dizzy from that intense energy first.
"Because my goals and dreams are always high. As a result, my aspirations become high, and all my awareness rises. Ultimately, if the goals are low, I will become satisfied. That's why I am still not fulfilled at all."
I have been chasing a version of myself that is one step ahead. In the midst of limits and fluctuations, I have jumped over many walls that were deemed impossible, using criticism as fuel. Despite achieving much through relentless effort, I remain hungry. My recorder is filled with youthful yet passionate words. Since my twenties, I have been shining brightly and fiercely. The ripple effect of this is tremendous, naturally drawing in those around me.
However, such a universally recognized club legend outright denies it.
"No, no, my name is not engraved in this club. Yuto NAGATOMO of Tokyo is too mediocre and disappointing. Only by raising the trophy will my name be etched in history. If I don't engrave it, I will retire and leave Tokyo without leaving anything behind. Will I end up disappointing and leaving without a legacy? Or will I finish by etching my name in the history of this club? I believe that will make a world of difference."
He is seriously challenging the unprecedented feat of participating in five consecutive World Cups. The dreams he wants to achieve are always spoken out loud and realized. It's a high-stakes gamble, and he is right in the middle of it, still shining brightly. The greatest Yuto NAGATOMO is always running ahead of him. Surely, he can see that figure clearly.
Gather strength and do not draw lines of limitation. The lines drawn by someone else are merely goals to be surpassed. This season, I want to have "strictness towards myself once again" and lead the way.
"I want to be stricter with myself than anyone else. I want to demand that of each other and elevate one another."
With those words, I am reminded once again, 'Ah, that's right.' There is fundamentally a difficulty in trying to understand. There are no other two men who can make my heart race like this.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
