First Night
I had a dream like this.
Unable to even fold my arms, I just hung my head. FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar. Right after being stopped by the wall of the best 8, every member of SAMURAI BLUE (Japan national team) was looking down in frustration. Yuto NAGATOMO, who returned to the locker room, repeatedly said, "Lift your head," and spoke to his teammates, "Connect to the next future." With large, moist eyes, surrounded by long eyelashes, the inside was completely pitch black.
In those pitch-black eyes, the image of Takumi MINAMINO vividly appeared. After a fierce 120-minute battle against Croatia in the 1st Round of the knockout stage, during the penalty shootout, he spoke these words to Minamino, who stepped up first and missed.
"You’re really brave, seriously. I couldn’t have taken that shot. Thank you so much. It was really fun."
Those around him might have thought, "This is the end."
However, deep within the clear and profound blackness of the eyes of this 36-year-old soccer player, a different scene was reflected. "What you can imagine, you can achieve." That is what he has always said.
"Honestly, my younger self never thought I would go to five World Cups. I graduated from university, and to be honest, as I got older, I achieved my goals one by one. I no longer let go of what I truly set my sights on, my prey. In four years, I’ll be 40, and actually, I thought the Qatar tournament would be my last due to my age, so I spoke about it in the final meeting..."
At the final meeting, I was called out by name, "Yuto." From others' perspective, it might have been an opportunity given to leave a farewell poem as a national team player. But this is Yuto NAGATOMO.
"If NAGATOMO starts saying he's aiming for the next World Cup, everyone will just laugh,"
All the teammates and staff present burst out laughing. It was said jokingly. However, inside, it was different. The image of himself fighting in a blue uniform at a stadium he had yet to see came to mind. "What am I even looking at? This makes no sense." Because he had hinted at "retirement" to a limited few, he himself was confused.
"But within myself, I had firmly grasped it as a clear goal. I absolutely believed that I could make it. There was no basis for it. That was how I perceived it. I could clearly imagine it. I thought, I can make it."
Looking back four years ago, he spoke about it with a serious face, so I said "sorry," but the words "that's a little creepy" slipped out. He must be used to that reaction. He laughed and said, "Yeah, yeah," then continued, "It's creepy, right? Honestly, even I thought it was kind of gross."
"But I thought I could go because I was able to imagine it. I have grasped what I could imagine. I say it with words, but I couldn't grasp what I couldn't imagine. In the past, I have said things arrogantly. But when it comes to truly grasping something from the bottom of my heart, that wasn't the case. Those things just can't be grasped. I had grasped this World Cup, and I thought I could go."
When I looked at the distant sky, a single morning star was twinkling. From that moment, I realized, "The next four years had already arrived."
Night Two
I had a dream like this.
"I will become the world's best fullback."
He said this in the summer after the 2010 South Africa World Cup had ended. He crossed the sea from FC Tokyo and moved on a loan transfer to AC Cesena in Italy's Serie A (now Cesena FC). Six months later, he moved to one of the world's top big clubs, Inter Milan.
There, I met the real deal. "I couldn’t evade them, nor could I take the ball." I lost confidence and grew increasingly anxious. It was at such a time that Javier Zanetti, known as 'Il Capitano' for his absolute captaincy and recognized by everyone as the world’s best fullback, stood right before me. So, without hesitation, I asked him straightforwardly.
"How can I become a player like you?"
Sanetti tapped his temple with his index finger and said.
"Yuto, it’s here. Always be ‘Positivo.’ You have to think positively. It’s important to enjoy both good times and bad, and to always stay calm and composed."
In the land of calcio, it was not uncommon to be subjected to harsh words from the world's most relentless media. It was also a daily occurrence to be showered with heartless remarks from passionate Inter fans. Every time I hung my head in defeat, Zanetti would call out to me, "Positivo, Positivo Yuto."
"He always taught me. Whether I was struggling or the team wasn’t getting results, he kept saying the same thing. I have never seen his mentality waver."
When he stepped onto the pitch, he led the team with boundless stamina and keen tactical insight. I was saved many times by Sanetti’s true captaincy. Before I knew it, I was following his figure with my eyes, moved every time we talked, and chased after his back wanting to get closer.
"For me, the world’s best fullback was Zanetti. It’s not enough to say, ‘I reached the world’s top level for a few years.’ My concept of the world’s best fullback is different. It’s about how long you can perform at the forefront and how much influence you can have on many people. In that sense, Zanetti was special."
The "one and only soul," who calls himself "Daikuse," was nurtured in this way. He experienced rock bottoms many times throughout his career. Each time, Zanetti's words resonated deep within his heart: "Positivo, Positivo Yuto." That is why he was always able to face forward.
Night Three
I had a dream like this.
"Winning the World Cup"
The 2014 Brazil tournament. At 27 years old, in the prime of his career, he hit rock bottom on the big stage. Despite high expectations and aiming for the championship, the team lost to Ivory Coast in the opening group stage match, and the confidence they once had crumbled fragilely. The team, thrown into anxiety, drew with Greece in the second match and suffered a heavy defeat to Colombia in the third, shattering their dream.
"Although we spoke of winning the championship, if you ask whether I truly believed it deep in my heart, the answer is no. Of course, the quality of the players was there, but Japan did not have the ability to actually win the title."
He experienced the greatest setback of his career. What helped him recover from the depths of despair and face forward was the presence of a new family. He announced his engagement to actress Airi Taira in 2016 and submitted their marriage registration in January of the following year. From there, the two of them fought together, side by side."
After much effort, he finally reached the Russia tournament, his third World Cup. However, with a coaching change just before the event, the Japan national team was in darkness. Nishino Japan suffered two consecutive losses from the start and was standing on the brink of serious troubles. It was the day off after returning from the match venue in Switzerland to the pre-camp location in Seefeld, Austria. The players split into their respective groups and went out to eat in town.
However, only Nagatomo went straight to the lodging. After the break, he appeared with a flashy blonde hairstyle, calling himself a "Super Saiyan." He absorbed the swirling hate all by himself, stood at the forefront of criticism in a desperate situation, and brought light to the Japan national team.
Once on the pitch, he got his uniform dirty with grit and ran more than anyone else. It was undoubtedly Nagatomo who pulled the team up from rock bottom. Even so, they could not overcome the barrier of the best eight. They fell before Belgium’s beautiful counterattack, which remains in football history, and shed tears at Rostov Arena.
Many of the comrades who fought alongside him spoke of retiring from the national team and graduated from SAMURAI BLUE. Even so, Nagatomo survived. He faced even more criticism, turned it into fuel, and ran on in the Qatar tournament. With an inexhaustible energy, as if treading through fresh grass──.
Night Four
I had a dream like this.
"I announced that I would continue my active career and aim for the CONCACAF tournament."
However, since the Qatar tournament, his name remained absent from the SAMURAI BLUE member list. This period lasted for more than a year.
"I realized that the Japan national team is something irreplaceable. It became a driving force within me, and it was a period when I once again felt both loneliness and pride in the Japan national team."
Still, he clawed his way back. Amid the disappointment of the Japan national team being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 2024 AFC Asian Cup, he made his return to the national team for the first time since the tournament during the consecutive matches against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea held in March.
"When I returned, the national team honestly wasn’t in a good atmosphere. Of course, we had lost in the Asian Cup, and I felt like the air was somewhat stagnant. But on my first day back, I was convinced that I could, like an 'air purifier,' transform that atmosphere into a positive one."
However, the role given to him emphasized work off the pitch rather than on it. Even when called up, days spent off the bench continued.
"I had the desire and frustration to stand on the pitch. It was tough. But rather than prioritizing my own feelings, supporting the team would definitely lead to the World Cup. I believed the path would surely open. That’s why I was able to do it. Although I haven’t been able to stand on the pitch, I will definitely be selected as a member for the World Cup and demonstrate my strength there. I will give 100% to what I can do now. That alone has never changed."
Even when called up, I wasn’t used in matches — every time Coach Moriyasu told me this, I accepted it and continued to fulfill my role. Just as Zanetti once did for me, I supported my beloved juniors and helped them face forward.
“Of course, that’s painful. That’s why no one else but me can do it. But I have that mental strength within myself.”
He conveyed his experience and pride in representing the national team, working both behind the scenes and in the spotlight, continuously pouring passion into the team. To Coach Moriyasu, who often looked apologetic, he always smiled and said, "I’m going to become a monster in the tournament. I will definitely make sure Moriyasu-san selects me. Please don’t worry." When the team secured qualification for the final round of the Asian qualifiers, he said, "I felt a little rewarded."
"I have suppressed my feelings and fought to connect to the World Cup. The World Cup is both a dream and a goal. I was honestly happy to have reached that point."
The relief lasted only for a moment.
"Now all that’s left is to become a monster. I will regain my peak form from my Inter days."
Saying that, he threw himself into the survival race toward the main tournament. Like waking a sleeping child, he steadily improved his condition starting around last summer. His freshness and former playing intensity were revived, and he began running freely across the pitch.
Fifth Night
In a slightly trembling voice, he said, "I had a dream like this."
"Now Yuto has a story that makes him stand out. Then, Yuto will wear the captain's armband and lift the championship cup. That's amazing."
Two months before the announcement of the World Cup squad for the fifth time, in March 2026, during the 22nd minute of the first half of Sec. 6 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League Regional League Ground match against Mito Hollyhock, he was forced to be substituted due to an injury to his right thigh.
Even the ever-resilient Nagatomo was downcast as he returned from an away trip and opened the door to his home. It was then that his wife, who was waiting for him, spoke to him with these words.
"Airi is a goddess. No one else could support such a complicated person. Normally, it would be impossible. She’s one of a kind in the world."
I was saved by the words of the goddess and the smiles of the children. However, considering the period of physical training, returning to play before the Club World Cup member announcement was extremely difficult.
“The doctors and trainers all had sad faces. I had misunderstood the recovery period as the number of days until I could return to matches. Originally, it was supposed to be a three-month course until recovery.”
The impatience grew. There were times when he almost gave up. "My motivation just won't rise at all," and that carefree smile was beginning to fade.
He has dedicated everything to soccer and made many sacrifices. Those involved with FC Tokyo who know those days never scoff at him no matter how boldly he speaks. They know the amount of sweat he squeezes out every day as if he were shaving years off his life. Even now, approaching 40, he has consistently upheld the ideal image of a professional every single day.
Therefore, the entire club came together to support Nagatomo's dream. The trainers even gave up their days off to provide care and stayed by his side continuously.
"Everyone really felt my goal to return before the announcement and stood by me. Each and every staff member at FC Tokyo put their heart into guiding me."
He managed to make it just in time with a desperate effort. On May 10, just before the World Cup squad announcement, he made his starting return in Sec. 16 against Tokyo Verdy. In front of Coach Moriyasu, he stirred his soul, ran, and fought.
"I did everything I could. So, no matter what happened, I had no regrets. Regardless of the outcome, I never thought, 'If only I had done this back then.' But I believed that if I didn’t show myself able to move, it would be over. So, I was pretty nervous. It was a wild look in my eyes for the first time in a while, right? Even when I greeted the younger players, they all looked away. My legs were fine, and I was able to play for nearly 80 minutes. Maybe somewhere, God was watching over me. I think He saw me pushing forward without holding back despite the pain and gave me a reward. It was that kind of day."
Final Night
We all share this kind of dream.
"It's time to make the fifth time the charm."
At the SAMURAI BLUE World Cup squad announcement held on May 15, Yuto NAGATOMO’s name was read aloud by Coach Moriyasu. Something welled up naturally inside. Before I knew it, my tear ducts had broken down. A heartwarming scene came to mind. The feelings behind the word "gratitude" this time are worlds apart from the "gratitude" I have expressed before.
"My gratitude is 1000%. It overflowed, my gratitude. More than feeling happy or relieved, gratitude just poured out. Although I struggled to get here, I have walked through these past four years. I am grateful for the support of my family, everyone at FC Tokyo, and the encouragement from fans and supporters. Faces of those who have supported me flashed through my mind like a revolving lantern, and I was filled with a feeling of 1000% gratitude. In the midst of hardship, everyone helped me. My family, Airi, and all the staff at Tokyo—they all desperately worked to take me to the World Cup. The entire club gave their all. That love was conveyed to me, and tears of gratitude overflowed."
Immediately after, he called his worried wife on her mobile phone. To her words, "That's great," he replied, "Thank you." As if confirming their bond, they vowed, "Let's prepare for the best from here again." He had been telling their four children, "I'm the man who will play in the World Cup five times." He was relieved not to become a lying father.
"Airi was crying too. She was sobbing. We've been fighting together. Honestly, without Airi's support, I wouldn't be who I am today. I have to make her happy even after my playing days are over, but I want to shine in this World Cup, lead Japan to victory, and repay Airi, everyone at FC Tokyo, and all those who support and cheer for me."
The phone didn’t stop ringing right after the announcement. Ritsu Doan said, "You're persistent," and Takefusa KUBO sent a message saying, "You're the best man. Let's make it happen."
"It feels similar to how I felt in 2010. Back then too, I set off to the world carrying the blue and red colors, right?"
The day after the announcement, at the match against the Urawa Reds, the blue and red singers held up a banner that read 'Pride of Blue and Red: Yuto NAGATOMO.'
“I’m purely happy. That everyone feels proud of me as I set off carrying the blue and red. I will never forget the emotions I felt when I saw that firsthand. That much happiness. To complete this story, I want to conclude the final chapter in the best possible way. Thank you for sticking with me and supporting me. I know I have a pretty strong personality, so I’m sure many people dislike me. But there have always been people who believed in me and supported me since I was young. I want to repay that gratitude by holding up the World Cup. I want to say thank you. So please, watch me.”
He has been subjected to criticism many times and sometimes even scoffed at. Nagatomo and those around him do not care. Because it is definitely a thousand times more fun to laugh together with such a bravo man.
From his first challenge in 2010, he has experienced despair, tragedy, and joy. And now, it is the fifth time’s the charm──.
He knows the harshness of that barrier and the joy of facing the challenge without running away. That is probably the appeal of the World Cup that captivated Nagatomo.
Whether in good times or bad, before I knew it, there were always people beside me who believed in me and ran alongside me. Carrying all their feelings on my back, I’m going to see new scenery. Our pride will surely bring smiles to all of Japan.
Yuto NAGATOMO has such a dream.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
Photos by Kenichi Arai / Tomoo Aoyama / JFA / J.LEAGUE
