Kensuke NAGAI is easy to understand, but difficult to understand.
50m5 seconds 8 of quick feet. It is a weapon that is easy to understand for anyone. But it also has a hidden charm. It may be the ability to care for teammates more than anyone else.
"Really, you're so kind, aren't you?"
When I hear that, Kensuke laughs and says, "No, no, I'm really strict, like a demon, like a demon."
Without hesitation, he restrained himself saying, "No, no, wait a minute."
Beneath that smile, there is overflowing kindness. Not just in their play, but also in their everyday actions.
Unstoppable Pure Feelings
As the rolling ball changes direction, I swing my arms and step forward. I grit my teeth and continue to chase after it, two, three times. The effort is often not rewarded. Nevertheless, I keep running.
Believing in our comrades, like innocent children.
The turning point was the J1 League Sec. 28 match against Shimizu S-Pulse on September 29, 2018. It was a special match to commemorate the 20th anniversary of FC Tokyo's founding. The team wore commemorative uniforms and over 30,000 spectators gathered at their home stadium, Ajinomoto Stadium. However, the result was a complete defeat of 0-2. The player wearing the number 11 jersey, who started on the bench, came onto the pitch in the 26th minute of the second half, but was unable to save the struggling team.
"It was a match that we prepared for together. We lost despite having many fans and supporters come to watch. That match was a turning point for me, realizing that if I don't change, nothing will change. Up until now, Tokyo has always lost when we were at our peak. In those moments, I realized that if we don't win, the distance between the team and the fans and supporters won't close, and we won't be able to reach the next level of strength."
On the way back――. Feeling powerless, I got angry at myself for being pathetic. In secret, I also worried. However, in front of my teammates, I tried to act cheerful, thinking "If I get depressed, this team will become really dark". But deep down, I made a vow to myself. "I thought I had to start with myself. If I change, the team will change. That's the most important thing".
Daisuke UEMATSU, who serves as the conditioning advisor in Tokyo, describes Nagai's body that supports his exceptional speed as "art-like". His teammates are also surprised by the muscles that extend from his shoulder blades to the back of his neck and the unnaturally bulging thighs that resemble red clay. He has decided to fully utilize his physical strength and squeeze out every last drop of sweat in every game.
"Winning was the most important thing for the team. I organized what I could do and thought about what the team needed. Whether the team's momentum comes out or not depends on me. For example, if I don't defend, the last line will drop, and if I can attack deep into the enemy's territory, the whole team can push up and play really good soccer. If I continue to lead, the others will follow. I set that standard. I have to show the attitude of going first, and I have always thought and done it from there."
This season, which we welcomed with the first whip, has been essential to the team that continues to start in the opening game and play for the championship, and has continued to stand on the pitch. The 9 goals in 33 games are also due to the full trust of my teammates.
"I can run because I trust my teammates behind me. It might be difficult if they were completely unfamiliar members. But they are pushing up towards the ball with a good distance. I don't expect to get the ball at my position. When we can steal the ball at the second or third attempt, we can connect it to a "fast break". That's when we have a chance to score."
I felt his warmth in the words he spat out.
A comfortable space with good friends
One day, I became obsessed and wrote in my elementary school graduation album, "Future Dream: Professional Soccer Player." It may seem like the typical path for a soccer boy, but it was a little different. I remember there was no phrase like "definitely" and I traced back my own memories.
Started kicking the ball following my two-year-older brother in the soccer kingdom of Brazil where I spent my childhood. Even after returning to Japan, I followed the same career path as my brother in elementary, junior high, and high school.
"When I was in elementary school, I was extremely competitive and had a bad mouth. I was a brat who would complain if I lost. But when I entered junior high school, I realized that wasn't going to work. I stopped complaining so much to those around me. Why did that change? It was a mystery to me. In my graduation album, I wrote that I wanted to become a soccer player, but I didn't work hard for that goal or strive for it. I just continued playing soccer because I loved it, and eventually I accidentally ended up on the Japan national team for my age group (U-18 Japan national team during my time at Fukuoka University). That's when my life changed."
For Ryo NAGAI, "loving soccer" may have a slightly broader meaning. It's not just about chasing the ball during practice or games. It's also about joking around on the way there and back, and sometimes having heated discussions. There are always teammates there, and there are smiles and tears. It must have been the most comfortable thing for him to be in a space where he could face important people like that.
"I will never betray anyone. That's why I always practice and play games properly, and I have never faked an illness. I do things I like, and I do them properly. Sometimes I drink carbonated drinks and eat snacks. But I don't overindulge. I won't betray others or myself. If I don't do it, it will all show in the results. I never want to cause trouble for the people around me."
Perhaps because of that personality, I am quick to notice the subtle emotions of those around me.
"I thought that this year, we were able to build a good relationship with the fans and supporters towards our first title. Even today, I always see that person over there and I am watching everyone who supports us. It's fun to play and the atmosphere at Ajinomoto Stadium is different. Especially this year, I think they pushed us even after we lost."
One of the iconic matches was the Kashima Antlers game in the J1 Sec. 26 on September 14th. Despite dominating the game, the team lost 0-2 without being able to score. The team was saved by the voices from the away supporters' section after the game, saying "We're still in first place" and "Let's keep going together from here".
After the game, when the mixed zone is surrounded by reporters, he loudly says, "Today's loss is my responsibility. If I had made the decision, we could have won. I'm sorry," and his overflowing emotions burst out like a dam breaking.
"There is also frustration towards myself for not being able to score in such an important game. It was a game where if I had scored (my chances), or if I had connected with the centering, it would have been different. We were able to break through against Kashima and even enter their penalty area. So, I thought it wasn't something to worry about for those around me. When I was feeling down, the words from the supporters behind the goal helped me. They also gave me a boost even when we were playing away, and those words really resonated with me."
To make the circle bigger together
This season, he returned to the Japan national team for the first time in four years. In the international friendly match against El Salvador, he scored two goals including his first goal for the national team, and in the Moriyasu era, he scored 3 goals in 6 matches. His performance did not go unnoticed by the media, and in between his national team and club duties, he also received many interviews. Despite the accumulated fatigue, he continued to fulfill his duties with a light-hearted attitude.
After the business staff sent their thank-you message, they received a reply saying, "It's only natural to cooperate because everyone is working hard. Isn't it something we all create together, the atmosphere?" When they talked about it, at first they boasted, "Did I really send such a message?" But they eventually gave in to the persistence and started to speak. The true feelings hidden behind their usual smiles were glimpsed there.
"Ultimately, it's all about the team. With the support of behind-the-scenes staff and fans, we can make it happen. If we don't do our part, we can't expect the same from our players. But we can't just demand things without putting in the effort. We want to build a strong relationship and create something great together. That's how we can bridge the gap between fans and supporters. We're not good at suddenly closing that distance, but we want to gradually expand our circle and work together."
As he spits it out, he looks at my impressed face and says shyly, "I don't like talking about this kind of thing. But, deep down, I really feel that way. I don't want to show it or let it be known."
"It's important, right? Those who can work hard for others won't betray them. Those who are willing to sacrifice themselves for others won't betray them. I don't want to betray someone who has been good to me."
When trying to connect with someone and achieve something, it depends on whether you can respect people who move with different intentions and values from yourself. This is an important aspect in running any organization. In that sense, having someone like Nagai on the team is definitely significant.
This season, we have frequently held dinner parties with Keigo Higashi, who we have close ties with as a family, and invited young players to create a space for communication.
"I thought Keigo would become the captain this year. But Keigo is the type to say 'I'm good'. But I always thought that if he was given a role, he would definitely be able to change. When he became the captain, I wanted to change even more. It was also important that the young players opened their hearts and came closer to us. In 5 years, if that generation is not on the pitch, Tokyo cannot become strong. We have to fight together. I want to make this team a team that competes for the championship every year, and I want to have a relationship where I can pass on my experience to the young players. I don't know how long I can stay, but that's how it is."
In a reverse of goodwill, he may say or do things that are opposite of what he truly thinks, but it may just be a way to hide his embarrassment. In fact, the more you get to know his thoughtful, honest and straightforward personality, the more people around him will come to like him.
Strict Father and Commander
Around him, there are good understanding people gathered. Coach Hasegawa is also one of them and has praised him without reservation, saying "Kensuke is 30 years old this year? He's still getting better, right?" When the race for the championship reached its climax this season, a straight message came from the commander.
"Take the challenge yourself. If you miss and lose, that's fine. Do it with the determination to make yourself the champion with your own hands."
My father's strict figure overlapped there. He was raised strictly by his father, who said, "When he gets angry, he always says it in a low voice and it's scary." But he has also felt his love every time something happens. "My father was also the second son and always wore hand-me-downs, which he hated. So he told my mother to raise me like my older brother. I think his influence is the most important thing in human relationships." He may have inherited his father's blunt nature, but his caring attitude is also evident in his play.
"My father was strict. He didn't allow me to dye my hair or get piercings. When I graduated high school, he told me clearly, 'With an attitude like yours, you can't become a professional soccer player.' That changed after I graduated college. But I still get scolded a lot. Even though I have no experience in soccer, when I show a passive attitude, they tell me to do better. They have always watched over me, through good times and bad. That's why I can listen to their advice honestly and say, 'Oh, I see.' It's also a joy to live up to their expectations."
He played in the direct confrontation with the league's first place, Yokohama F.Marinos, in the final round of the season, despite dislocating his right shoulder in the 33rd round of the J1 League against Urawa Reds. There, his way of facing soccer was packed. There was no reason to refuse if he was needed by the commander or teammates. Above all, he probably wanted to "fight with everyone" until the end. It was Tsuntsun's own "ONE FOR ALL".
I gave it my all for 90 minutes. However, it was still not enough. In order to win the championship, we needed to win by a margin of 4 points or more, but we heard the final whistle with a score of 0-3. Our first J1 victory will have to wait.
Took a deep breath and looked up. At the moment when we lined up in front of the away goal, the chorus of "You'll Never Walk Alone" reached my ears. It was a touching sight. Another reason to keep fighting was stored in my heart.
"Throughout the year, I received a lot of support and energy from my teammates and fans. Being able to compete until the final match in this kind of atmosphere was a great experience. I hope to continue this momentum into next season. This kind of tension is hard to come by. I am sure I will continue to grow from this experience and use what I gained from losing in the future."
To make everyone happy
After turning 30, there are not many things I wish for――.
"To do or not to do, that is the question. As you get older, it's easy to fall into the mentality of "I can't do it anymore." So how do you avoid thinking like that? Maybe it's better to say, "Let's challenge ourselves." There's no player with a play style like mine. There's no role model, so I can only stick to my own style. Some players with fast feet lower their position or change their play style as they age, but I don't want to do that. If I'm not chasing, then I'm not myself. I've been chasing since the London Olympics, and if that's gone, it'll be different."
I asked directly, "Do you have a goal?"
"What are your goals for the future? I want everyone to be happy. For myself, I just want to live happily with the people around me. That's the most important thing. I don't have any desire to achieve something on my own or do something specific. But I definitely want to win the league with this team."
Together we know the joy, anger, and tears, and the fun of sharing it all together. And he continues to run to laugh with his friends.
"People who don't know me probably think I don't think about anything. It's okay if they think that, and I don't really want them to come near me. I'm a hassle, aren't I... But I want to show my true self to important people and friends."
The expression he said with his mouth was, as expected, an unburdened smile. I want you to listen to Nagai's true feelings that he doesn't usually express. If you do, you will surely come to like him even more. The speedster who cuts through the wind gathers and continues to run with that love. That is the figure of soccer that Kensuke Nagai loved.
◇Kensuke NAGAI Profile
text by Kohei Baba
photo by Kenichi Arai,Masahito Sasaki
