He has retired few months ago, playing his last game against Brazil. He may not be the most popular Asian player ever. He may not be a legend. But he has been the inspiration for many young Japanese schoolboys who love football with all their heart. He has probably been the inspiration for the mangaka who wrote Shoot!, for the main character in the comic was a boy named Toshihiko Tanaka. He made the Asian believe that on football pitch, they are more than able to compete against anyone in the world.
He is not perfect. In fact he is so human that I think he gave up professional football so that he could relearn to love the game from the bottom of his heart.
You can read his parting message here
His name is Nakata Hidetoshi. Remember that!
He is not perfect. In fact he is so human that I think he gave up professional football so that he could relearn to love the game from the bottom of his heart.
You can read his parting message here
His name is Nakata Hidetoshi. Remember that!
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