Hidetoshi Nakata
Hidetoshi Nakata
Hidetoshi Nakata, Cavaliere OSSI, is a retired Japanese football player who played as a midfielder. He is widely considered to be one of the most famous Asian footballers of his generation, and one of the greatest Japanese players of all time...
NationalityJapanese
ProfessionAthlete
Date of Birth22 January 1977
CountryJapan
believe cup factor increased playing
I think that the World Cup is a big factor for this increased interest. I don't believe all of this is a result of just myself but also because of the others who are playing abroad.
believe best continue excel explore order
As a professional athlete, I believe that I need to explore my opportunities to the maximum, in order to excel and continue to play the best football I can.
coach course decision heard players prefer saying tells
Have you ever heard players saying I prefer 4-4-2 or 3-5-2? The decision is always made by the coach, so the players can't decide. Of course the players have to play how the coach tells them to. If you can't play that way then go back home.
couple wanting
It's The Premiership and I have been wanting to play here for a couple of years,
enjoying enjoyment team
I think we are enjoying it - everybody: players, staff, the team together.
italian japanese paper reporter seems
I have no idea as to what's going on, but it seems that a Japanese reporter read something I had said to an Italian paper and misinterpreted my words.
communication years lessons
The biggest lesson I've learned by living abroad for the last four years is the importance of communication.
europe japan littles
Living in Europe, I was surprised to find out just how little everyone knows about Japan.
football believe opportunity
I believe that I need to explore my opportunities to the maximum, in order to excel and continue to play the best football I can.
team player europe
I notice that teams are now more interested in Japanese players than when I first went to Europe.
night thinking snacks
We had only snacks last time, I think it was OK for a day time menu. But this time it will be late night when people gather so we should add some proper meals.
player games gamer
I will never again stand on the pitch as a professional player. But I won't stop playing the game.