Joy beyond compare and tears from the bottom of his heart. In the 2022 season, Teruhito NAKAGAWA experienced a turbulent time.
In February, he scored the team’s first goal in the opening match against Cerezo Osaka, and in November, in the final round against Vissel Kobe, he marked the last goal. He led Yokohama F.Marinos to their first league championship in three seasons. Then, after the friendly match against Roma (Italy) at the Japan National Stadium at the end of November, which was the “Yokohama FM last match,” he shed large tears openly and bid farewell to the fans and supporters.
Before facing his former club for the first time, I asked him directly.
"What kind of presence is Yokohama FM to you?"
I had naturally imagined phrases like "my favorite team" or "like home to me," but after a brief silence, he gave an answer different from what I expected.
"It's the club that saved me."
He reveals the reason, filled with a feeling of "gratitude."
"I injured my right knee in my fourth year of university, and it was a kind of injury that I couldn't help even if there were no offers, but I still pursued it from my second year of university, and the scouts came to the training ground many times and offered me a contract. So, 'Marinos is the club that saved my soccer career,' I think that is the most understandable expression."
At that moment, I made a vow in my heart.
"The greatest way to repay Marinos is to win the league."
To that end, I was supposed to overcome a long and arduous rehabilitation and start playing with all my might every day.
However, reality was harsh. In my rookie year, the 2015 season, I only appeared in two league matches and one Emperor's Cup match, and my position within the team did not change much in the 2016 season either. In the summer, I decided to go on loan to FC Machida Zelvia in the J2 League, and after the season ended, I returned to Yokohama FM once, but in the 2017 season as well, I went on a training journey mid-season, this time to Avispa Fukuoka, which was then in the J2 League. After spending three incomplete seasons, Nakagawa steeled himself for the fourth season.
"When I came back in the 2018 season, I decided 'I will definitely not go on a loan this season.' No matter how I am treated, even if I cannot play in the matches, I will stay and complete the year with Marinos, I will see it through. Even if I couldn't get involved in the matches, I had the intention to transfer to another team on a permanent basis for the next season."
Then, fate began to move in a positive direction. Recognized by Ange POSTECOGLOU, who took over as manager in the 2018 season, he gradually increased his playing opportunities and established himself as a starter in the latter half of the season. In the 2019 season, he became a key player and a driving force behind the league championship, the first in 15 seasons. He appeared in a career-high 33 matches, scored a career-high 15 goals to become the top scorer, and also won the J.League MVP and Best Eleven awards. He swept all the individual awards.
After that, he suffered from injuries again for two seasons and experienced "painful and frustrating" times. Even so, he said, "I gained the strength to endure hardships, struggle, and overcome walls," and made a full comeback in the 2022 season. "I experienced a major injury and there were times I couldn’t play in matches, but by continuing without giving up, I was able to see the best scenery once again." After achieving his second league championship, feelings and emotions that had been vaguely stirring before the final match began to well up inside him.
"I might have been able to win more titles if I had stayed with Marinos, and I also wanted to increase the number of titles including cup competitions, but if I were to transfer, I felt this was a good point to make a clean break. I think this is a good timing and a good way to end my time with Marinos."
Half a year has passed since the decision was made with unwavering determination. Life has taught me that there are ups and downs, and the "club that saved me" has allowed me to experience the bitter and the sweet as a professional soccer player. And now, I am finally going to compete against them. Nakagawa is calm before this "exciting match". There is no sign of nostalgia or sentimentality.
"Of course, I like Marinos, but I have to love the team I’m with the most. I’m already dyed in Tokyo’s colors. Since I decided ‘for Tokyo—,’ I will fight with the blue and red spirit. That’s how much I love Tokyo, and that’s the level of determination I came with. Marinos are now the enemy. If I have a wishy-washy feeling, I don’t think I can play well at all, so I’m determined to beat Marinos."
There was only one moment when the expression relaxed while listening to the conversation leading up to the Yokohama FM match. The topic came up about the "players who are looking forward to the matchup." While prefacing with "I got along well with various players, so there isn't anyone special," as expected, the name came up here.
"Kibou (Takuya KIDA), I’m planning to go hard on him (laughs). We still occasionally go out for meals, and when I said, 'I’m going to come at you hard,' Kibou replied, 'I’ll come at you even harder,' something like that. I want to have a fierce battle as long as we don’t get injured."
Finally, I also asked about his feelings toward the Tricolor fans and supporters he is looking forward to reuniting with.
"Ideally, I want to win and then go greet them, but no matter the result, I will go, and even if we lose, it’s proper to go with a smile. Above all, I just want to show that I’m doing well and full of energy."
While saying so, he added with a mischievous and determined expression, "But, I still want to win. I want to win." It was a very Nakagawa-like expression.
Six months after the tearful farewell, when they won against Yokohama FM at home in Ajinomoto, Nakagawa became a person who truly shines in blue and red.
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golazo, FC Tokyo Correspondent)
