The Japan Football Association announced on March 14 the members of SAMURAI BLUE (Japan national team) who will face the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) in the "FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Second Qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers." Among the list is the name of Yuto NAGATOMO, which has been inscribed for the first time in about 1 year and 3 months since the "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022."
On this day, after practice at Kodaira Ground, coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI conveyed this to the players.
"I have something to announce that I, and everyone, can be proud of. Yuto has been selected for the national team. He always prepares himself well and takes care of his body every day. He is constantly working on improving himself and has a strong mental approach. I am truly proud of that, and I believe he deserves it. Congratulations. Representing the country is an honor, enjoy it."
When the commander said that, the players celebrated the 37-year-old's new challenge with applause and cheers.
After finishing the fierce battles on the dream stage, I once considered retirement. However, the desire to achieve the historic feat of being the first Asian to participate in five consecutive tournaments surged within me and kept me from stepping back.
"For four years, I have put everything into the Qatar tournament. Honestly, I hadn't thought at all about the future after the World Cup. The first big inspiration came when I watched the final match between Argentina and France; I was shocked and received incredible energy from it. I realized the greatness of soccer and how it can move people so deeply. I was able to stand on that stage. If I don't give up, I might be able to return to that stage again. I felt a bubbling passion and thought that seizing this future depends on me."
Once again, they burned with blue and red flames, fighting hotter than anyone else. In the midst of this, they have quietly continued their relentless efforts. The invisible roots they have nurtured, which are not on the ground, cannot be easily broken. Their insatiable desire for improvement knows nothing of the word satisfaction. Nagatomo said, "Satisfaction... I don't think I've ever been satisfied," and continued like this.
"Even now, I can't say I'm satisfied with my career. I wonder... my goals and dreams are always high, so my aspirations are high, and all my awareness is elevated. That's why I still feel completely unfulfilled."
I have walked a path that no one has ever stepped on. Where there is a will, a way emerges.
The man who knows that has been saying since before the start of this season, "Personally, I have the goal of performing overwhelmingly in the J-League and going to the Japan national team. Since I am aiming for my fifth World Cup, I need to perform well enough to be selected for the Best Eleven." He always puts his dreams into words and makes them a reality. The line of limits drawn by someone is merely a marker for Nagatomo to jump over.
"Many people laughed. Still, I have been vocal about aiming for the fifth World Cup. As the saying goes, if you keep saying it and believing it, the path will connect. Finally, one door has opened. The competition starts from here."
The festival man who has turned mockery into genuine smiles is chasing a version of himself that is one step ahead, and has finally declared himself the "post-Nagatomo." In his eyes, the tough competition that is about to begin and the path he must take are reflected. That is why he layered his words as if to remind himself, "I haven't achieved it yet. This is just the beginning. This is still just a checkpoint."
"Since the Russia tournament, I've been called 'old man.' The four years leading up to the Qatar tournament have been quite a tough road, and I've faced a lot of criticism. Even so, I continued to believe and fight, and I've made it here. There are two more years from now. Thinking about the even tougher road that awaits, I must also fight with determination. I truly have a lot at stake, so I want to make sure to connect this opportunity and make the most of it.
I have been called an old man, and I might be able to give courage to people of my generation and those in various professions who are called veterans. Even if I am called an old man, I am fighting and aiming for the unprecedented fifth World Cup. I want to show my way of life.
The time has come. With a proud record of 142 appearances for the national team, the second most in history, he will update the all-time fourth place record for U-6 if he plays. Changing from blue and red to a blue outfit, our passionate pride of Tokyo takes on a big challenge.
Now, it's Yuto NAGATOMO's turn.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
