The fiery full-back finally returns.
Showing gratitude on the pitch!
DF 2 Hotaka NAKAMURA
Special content introducing the all-blue-red warriors who will challenge the 2024 season. What are the players, who are facing the opening, thinking and preparing for the year? The players' stories, filled with club love, thirst for titles, aspirations for success, and the roles they must fulfill - after the "many good things" 2023 season, Hotaka NAKAMURA finally returns to the pitch. What he strongly felt during the tough road to recovery was gratitude towards those around him. In order to repay that kindness and to once again show his true self, he will seek results with a burning passion.
Lacing up blue and red shoelaces on his spikes, he pours out his fresh passion. The right back, who carries a flame in his heart, is finally coming back.
Last season, there was a strong determination to regain the starting position that was taken by Yuto NAGATOMO before the start of the season.
"I want to get rid of the lack of confidence and negative thinking in my heart, and put my feelings to the forefront. I have to start by kicking out Yuto and starting in the starting lineup. I can't do it without that kind of determination. I'm not that strong. But I don't care about the voices from the sidelines. I have to go with that kind of confidence, even if I'm told something based on the results of giving 100% of my strength."
The words that came out of his mouth seemed to be steaming. He pushed himself to the limit with his fierce play and eventually established himself as a regular. He pursued plays that only Hotaka NAKAMURA could do. It was slowly starting to take shape. His overflowing ambition for growth knew no bounds, and he seemed to be on track to climb up to the Japan national team.
That's why I regret that "injury" so much. It was at the end of the Meiji Yasuda Life J1 League Sec. 10 match against Albirex Niigata. As I received the pass and stopped the ball, the moment my right foot touched the ground, I made a pained expression and collapsed on the spot.
Right Achilles tendon rupture, estimated recovery time of 6 months.
"It was the toughest time I've ever had in my life. My feelings for the season were really strong, and I was prepared to face it. The start wasn't bad either. I was just about to make an impact and join the Japan national team. I even started to wonder if everything I had done up until then was wrong. That's how tough it was."
During the difficult rehabilitation, I was repeatedly helped by the kindness and consideration of those around me. With these things as my support, I faced my injury and pushed myself forward. Even using my impatience and anxiety as fuel, I continued to take one step at a time on the road to recovery.
"I can't really say anything cool. I just want to grab it and show my performance on the pitch. That's the only place where a soccer player can truly express themselves. No matter how much I say with words, if I can't perform on the pitch, it doesn't matter. If people can feel something by watching my play, that's enough. That's all I need."
Peering into the abyss, crawling up from the bottom. An irresistible story unfolds from here. Hohdaka unleashes 100% pure, unadulterated emotions. That place is the Ajinomoto pitch where the blue and red singers await.
Text by Koji Baba (Freelance Writer)
