Yuto NAGATOMO, selected from FC Tokyo, joined the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan national team) for the East Asian E-1 Football Championship Final Round 2025 held in South Korea. He was entrusted as the team captain for this tournament and made his first appearance in a national team match since the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar tournament during the second match against China.
Regarding this tournament, where he showcased his strengths aiming for participation in the World Cup next June, Mr. Tomoo Aoyama, who covered the event on-site in South Korea, summarizes the battle.
Overcoming difficult times, Yuto NAGATOMO stood on the pitch for the Japan national team for the first time in 950 days.
In March last year, he returned to the Japan national team to give a wake-up call after the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the AFC Asian Cup. Using his unique character, he energized a slightly off-kilter team and conveyed the significance and passion of representing Japan and competing on the world stage through both words and actions. Thanks to his efforts, the team achieved an impressive six consecutive wins in the FIFA World Cup 26 Asia Final Qualifiers (third round). The players' awareness also heightened, and they secured qualification for the tournament at the fastest pace in the world.
However, on the other hand, Nagatomo himself experienced the frustration of being left out of the matchday squad for 12 consecutive games. Although he had always said in words, "I will do what I can for the team," he considered any role as long as he could contribute to the Japan national team. His fifth World Cup appearance was a battle in which he put his football career on the line. While being regarded as a necessary member of the team, he struggled with the conflict of not being able to contribute on the pitch as a player.
In this tournament, he was appointed team captain by coach Hajime MORIYASU, and was expected to lead with experience, words, and play. He spent the first match on the bench, and in the match against China, he played the full game as the left stopper in a three-back formation. After that match, he revealed his true feelings about the difficult period he endured for over two years and the opportunity that finally came.
"It was too painful. The word 'painful' sums it up. However, I have repeatedly risen from adversity and suffering before. Everyone might have thought, 'Nagatomon is finished,' but I have simply kept believing in myself. I have always felt a sense of crisis (that I am not contributing as a player). I'm not stupid, so I have objectively viewed and understood the situation, and there were times I felt I might not be considered as part of the squad. That brought frustration and a sense of my own inadequacy—I knew what I was lacking. That's why I was emotionally invested in the match against China. Playing as a member of the team aiming to win the World Cup still feels far from my reach, and I have many challenges ahead, but without a doubt, I was able to take the first step."
Personally, heading into the match against China, I had the mindset of "If I fail today, it's over," and I was that committed. Wearing the Hinomaru and fighting is a source of pride and honor. Although I have felt frustrated not being able to play in matches, once I get on the field, I have decided to fight with all my soul. After all, I am aiming for a high level, so there are still many things I need to work on. For example, when facing players like Mbappé or Marcus VINICIUS, I calmly assess whether my current sprinting ability is enough. I believe age doesn't matter in this regard, and by improving quality, I think I can grow.
In the match against China, he was entrusted with a position in an unfamiliar three-back formation. There is a 38-year-old who views even that positively. He saw it as a chance to expand his potential as a player and enhance his own value. Also, the presence of coach Makoto Hasebe, with whom he once fought together, has become significant for him. While he was active as a defensive midfielder for the national team, at his club Eintracht Frankfurt, he was entrusted with the defensive line in his later years and became a legend in the club's history.
"He was called the 'Emperor' in Germany. There is definitely positioning that can only be achieved through intelligence, crisis awareness, covering ability, and experience. I think Mr. Hasebe was excellent at reading the game, so I want to learn from that. If I can become a center back here, the chances of making the World Cup squad will increase. I believe that by showing I can play right, left, wing back, side back, and both sides of center back, I will get closer to my dream."
In this tournament, the Japan national team successfully achieved consecutive championships, and Nagatomo experienced lifting the cup for the first time in his life as the team captain. From here, as a player and a solid defensive multi-player, he aims for his fifth appearance in this tournament.
However, without success in the blue and red, he cannot reach the stage of the World Cup with the Japan national team. He himself fully understands that.
"We just have to go all out. We need to raise our level one or two steps higher. If we don't contribute to Tokyo, it won't lead to the Club World Cup, and right now, that's what I'm passionate about," his desire for growth only intensifies. Age doesn't matter here; he just believes in himself and pushes forward.
Frustration and a sense of accomplishment, and thoughts for the future──. The 10 days spent in South Korea for the player wearing number 5 became an important time to clarify the path toward the main tournament and reaffirm his determination.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tomoo Aoyama
Photos by Kenichi Arai
