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 thinking and what kind of determination are they approaching the year with as they prepare for the opening? The players' stories, filled with love for the club, thirst for titles, aspirations for success, and the roles they must fulfill, are all hidden in their hearts. After the tumultuous 2023 season, Hotaka NAKAMURA is finally returning to the pitch. What he strongly felt during his difficult 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.
Thread blue and red shoelaces through the spikes, and pour out fresh passion. The right side back, who carries a flame in his heart, is finally coming back.
Last season, there were strong feelings expressed by Yuto NAGATOMO about reclaiming his starting position that was taken from him before the start of the season.
"I want to get rid of the lack of confidence and negative thinking in my heart, and focus on my feelings. 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. Even if I'm criticized for my results, I don't care, I have to be that confident."
The words that came out of his mouth seemed to be steaming. With his fighting spirit and play, he pushed himself to the limit and eventually became a regular player. He pursued a style of play that only Hotaka NAKAMURA could achieve. And little by little, it was 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 J1 League Sec. 10 match against Albirex Niigata. He received a pass, stopped the ball, and as soon as his right foot touched the ground, he 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 determined to start off well. I was just about to make an impact and be called up to the Japan national team. I even started to wonder if everything I had done up until then was wrong. That's how difficult 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 worked hard to overcome it. Even using my impatience and anxiety as fuel, I took 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, 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. A story that cannot be ignored is spun from here. Hohdaka unleashes 100% pure, unadulterated thoughts. That place is the Ajinomoto pitch where the blue and red singers await.
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
