I have encountered many words that have lightened my heart and body throughout my soccer career.
The lingering sound in his ears may even make him jump higher than anyone else.
Whenever my heart was about to break, someone always pushed me forward.
With that kindness, he has been moving his feet forward even one step.
To the dream that lies ahead.
Tsuyoshi WATANABE is diligently piling up the "now" in order to get closer, even by just one step.
Many walls have blocked
It's probably because I'm not human, but I can't help feeling a little envious of him and thinking he's a bit sneaky.
"He" was first included in the list of U-22 Japan national team aiming for the Tokyo Olympics next year on October 3, 2019. Tsuyoshi WATANABE, who loves to talk, finally stood on the starting line, continuing to say to those around him since childhood.
There, it's a place that can't be given to anyone. Look up at the ball kicked high by the opponent's GK, aim for the goal. Without being intimidated by the strong FW opponent, read the landing point and step firmly on the ground. Float in the air, push your head out as quickly as possible. A loud sound echoes throughout the body through the forehead. I didn't used to like it that much, but at some point it started to feel comfortable. The center back, who combines such height and speed, has been blocked by many walls in his soccer life. Each time, someone pushed his back, and he took the next step while going back and forth between anxiety and relief.
"Honestly, there were times when my heart was about to break. I even thought it might be tough to aim high. But every time, my parents and the people around me believed in me."
I have been chasing the back of my older brother and chasing the ball since before I can remember. I was so obsessed with soccer that it became the center of my life. When I was in elementary school (Oobukuro FC / FC Tokyo Soccer School), I was a fast dribbler in an attacking position, but when I entered FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa at the same time as I entered junior high school, I was converted to a defensive midfielder. The reason was that "I didn't have the skills compared to others and I was also small in size. Until my second year of junior high school, I was the second shortest in my class." Gradually, I lost my place there as well, and started playing as a side back because "I had more physical strength than anyone else." When I entered my third year of junior high school, I couldn't play in any official matches for a year. The one who was playing in my place was Makoto OKAZAKI, who was two years younger than me.
"I practiced for one year, and Mako joined in the three years of practice. That was our daily routine. At that time, it was tough. Even more so, I thought all my classmates were my rivals, but I couldn't beat them. That was frustrating. It was honestly tough to cheer for my classmates while they were playing in the game."
Watanabe laughed and revealed an episode from that time, saying "Even the coach himself doesn't remember." It was a sudden moment. Coach Ryuhei Yamaguchi (currently JFA Academy Fukushima coach) said to me, "Your parents are also big, so you will grow taller from now on. Make sure to practice heading well." My parents and siblings, who have been playing sports for a long time, all had big bodies. My father was over 180 centimeters tall and my mother was in the mid-160 centimeters range. But I couldn't believe that I would become like them at that time. However, those words somehow stayed in my heart. I didn't know at that time that those words would become words of wisdom in the future.
Words of wisdom that remained in my ears
Missed promotion to FC Tokyo U-18, and went on to attend Yamanashi Gakuin University Affiliated High School (now Yamanashi Gakuin High School) after receiving an invitation from the school. Later, he laughed bitterly as he explained the reason.
"I was told that I was similar to the atmosphere of a player who was a mood maker when we won the high school soccer championship, not because I was good or bad, but because I was called out by the general manager."
However, around the time of graduating from junior high school, my height started to grow rapidly. Along with my increased height, something seemed to be changing.
"When I missed the promotion to U-18, I thought about a lot of things. But at that time, my parents supported me. They said, 'You have to have a desire to improve. If you're going to do it, you have to aim for the top. If you think it's impossible, it's better to quit.' Hearing that, I was able to think about working hard at soccer again. Looking back, I think the biggest turning point was when I was asked to try playing center back in my first year of high school because I had grown a little bit. That's when my life changed drastically. It was a position I had never thought about before, and it didn't go well from the beginning. I didn't know how to play and I couldn't win in terms of physicality, height, or speed."
I thought that the words I kept in my heart would come in handy. I started practicing extra time with the words "Let's use the heading that was said at that time as a weapon" in mind. I decided not to go home until I hit it properly, and I continued to jump towards the hanging pendulum ball with a rope. However, even with the repetitive practice that I continued alone every day, there were walls that I could not overcome. Fear was always right next to me.
"Not only heading, but also competing with the opponent was scary. Above all, I was afraid of colliding and falling because I was much smaller in size."
In that game, I jumped higher than the opposing FW in response to a high ball. "I thought I mistimed it." However, my body remained in the air longer than I expected, and I was able to wait for the ball.
"When I was able to return the ball with a header, I felt like I had grasped something. By being conscious of that feeling and practicing again, I was able to truly change."
By the time I graduated from high school, I was always at the back of the line in terms of height in my class. "Even now, my coach and teammates from my childhood still say it to me," he said, making a gesture as if pressing his palm against the ground, "like, 'You used to be like this back then. It's unbelievable, right?'" and laughed it off.
It wasn't just his body that grew bigger and stronger. With his heading skills, he became widely known in the high school soccer world.
Fellow Dreamers
"In the game, I was able to receive attention from various club scouts. I was aiming to become a professional right out of high school, but I didn't receive any formal offers."
In order to catch the eye of the scouts, I had to leave a big impact. In the 2nd round against Tokai University Tomakomai High School, which was supposed to be the stage, in the first round of the National High School Comprehensive Physical Education Tournament in my third year of high school, Watanabe made a fatal mistake. Already leading by two points and with little time left in the game, victory was almost in our hands, but he pulled the opponent in the penalty area, received a second warning, and was sent off. The team was able to secure a 2-1 victory and advance to the 3rd round, but due to an "unnecessary foul," he was suspended for the big match against Toho Fukuoka High School that followed.
"Beforehand, I had heard that many professional scouts would gather for the match against Toufukuoka, which we won at the high school tournament. However, I couldn't play in that important match. Our team ended up losing. After that, I talked to the coach and he said, 'You couldn't play in the match where the most scouts were supposed to gather, so you don't have what it takes. It would be better for you to go to university instead of joining a team outside of J1.' So I gave up on turning pro after high school. At that time, I felt like I was the one who 'didn't have what it takes' the most."
When I entered Chuo University, I had plenty of free time. So, I continued to think about what I wanted to become.
"Only those who can devote their excess time to soccer can become professionals. My classmate, Takumi KAMIJIMA, who graduated from Kashiwa Reysol U-18, said, 'I have no intention of joining any club other than Reysol.' So I also decided to make our mutual goal, 'I want to enter Tokyo again.' I have always had the determination to become a professional since I entered school, and I have been working towards it."
However, I never gave up on my dream of becoming a professional, but I always had doubts and lacked confidence. It was during my university days that I met someone who reached out and gave me a wonderful opportunity.
Words from Take-san that made me look forward
Takeshi Sudo, who spent three years together in the same room in the dormitory with me in the year above at Chuo University, is the person who supported my university days.
"We spent almost 3 years together every day. Honestly, I wasn't extremely good at soccer. We played together as center backs, but we weren't very tall. But for me, he was the most respectable person. We talked every day and he was a very passionate person. It was a valuable experience for my life. Even now, before the game, Take-san always sends me a message saying "Do your best" or after the game, "Nice play".
Take-san always cared about those around him and if a player was feeling down, he would immediately ask "What's wrong?" and kneel down next to them. He was loved by everyone and was even given the captain's armband in his 4th year. He always gave me advice and would pat me on the back to encourage me."
"At the beginning of my enrollment, I made many mistakes that led to losses. However, every time I felt down, he kept telling me, 'There's nothing to worry about. You will definitely become a professional.' He really helped me."
Although I was supported by my senior who took care of me, I never received an offer from a J-League club. As I entered my third year of university, I finally reached a crossroads. I had to decide my future path. There were three options: to aim for a professional career, to start job hunting, or to pursue a professional career while job hunting.
"When I tried to talk to my parents about that issue and sent them a message..."
As I was about to say that, memories from that time came flooding back and I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
I received a reply from my mother, Kazuyo, right away. I was surprised by the words written there and when I tried to respond, I felt a slight sense of anger.
"If you're going to job hunt, it's better to give up. Even if turning pro is impossible, you can take a gap year and then start job hunting. There's nothing to think about, so if you're giving up on going pro, just focus on job hunting."
"I just wanted to meet and talk normally, but it was only at my house that I couldn't even discuss it."
With a little embarrassment, he added, "But..."
"I know that I can't do both soccer and studying. I think they pushed me, saying, 'If you decide to challenge soccer and fail, you can give up.'"
That's how I cut off my escape route, and finally in the summer of my fourth year of university, I received an invitation to train with FC Tokyo. I even got to play on the pitch for the J3 Azul Claro Numazu game as a registered player. Finally, the path to becoming a professional, which I had dreamed of, was opened. The ones who were most surprised and happy for me were my parents.
"I myself was also in a dream world. Even though I pushed it away like that, I couldn't believe it when my son entered the world that I saw on TV. I was asked many times, 'Are you sure? Really? I'm not being lied to, right?'"
Two Big Entities
After 8 years, I finally put on the blue and red jersey that I longed for. However, it was not easy. This is the world of professional football where there is no room for deception. And in front of me stood a thick and high wall, Masato MORISHIGE and Hyun Soo JANG, who have carried the weight of their country and supported the national team for many years. Even my senior teammates joked, "You came to the most difficult club to play in the J-League." During practice, I could feel their greatness and intensity.
"I've come to an amazing place."
I thought so, but "I had already given up". I admit the current loss and follow Hyun Soo JANG's back, listening to advice even during training. By carefully stacking each day like this, the man's luck, which he didn't used to have, starts rolling in a good direction.
In the match against Kashiwa Reysol in the YBC Levain Cup group stage on March 6, which was his debut for the top team, he scored his first goal and also contributed to a shutout victory in the league debut match against Matsumoto Yamaga F.C. on April 28. He continued to deliver stable performances in the matches he played in afterwards.
"It was scary how well things were going. I was worried that something bad might happen. But, I never expected..."
As Hyun Soo JANG's confidence grew this summer, he transferred to Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al Hilal. A seat unexpectedly opened up.
"I thought this was just luck. Being in third place at that timing was also like that, but I think everything went well."
As a center back for the club that is competing for the championship in the league, he will continue to grow to fill the gap left by Hyun Soo JANG. In his first professional season in the J1 league, he has played in 15 games and scored one goal so far. Along the way, he never forgets to use his mistakes as a source of improvement.
There, you can see the steady steps taken so far. In high school, with a big goal in mind, I carefully honed the necessary skills by looking at the big picture. I set a timeframe and focused on it systematically. In college, I shared the results with others in my own words and built cooperative relationships. That's how I repeated input and output. I have naturally learned how to survive in a tough world through my career, which I thought was a detour. It's probably because he has been diligently working towards one goal all along.
"It wouldn't have been strange to give up in middle school. I didn't know how to continue playing soccer. I was always nervous. But through various experiences, I am now able to stand here with the support of many people. That's why I believe in myself."
Endless Sky
Even after becoming a professional, my parents always remind me to "stay humble. If you get too excited, no one will want to support someone who has become arrogant. It will show in your attitude, so be careful," they warned. Every time I see that message, I nod and remind myself.
"From Coach Tetsu Nagasawa, I often hear 'You're still a bottom-tier player.' I think that's really true. In junior high school, I don't think anyone thought I would become a professional, and even now, I don't think I'm a great player. I know that if I forget my humble beginnings, I'll go back to where I started. That's why I always have to stay humble."
Positive words gather around Tsuyoshi WATANABE. It's because his words are always positive and he is always looking up at high places. Perhaps that's why his smile naturally overflows.
Masato MORISHIGE has had a dream since he was a child, talking with his friends in the bath at the university dormitory, to play in the Tokyo Olympics, which is coming up next year. Although he has been expected to be called up for the national team, he has never had the chance until now. Every time the national team for his age group is announced, he remembers the experience of being called up just before the 2008 Beijing Olympics and playing in the tournament. He recalls being encouraged by Masato MORISHIGE, who also had the same experience, saying "It's okay, it's okay. Don't rush, you'll definitely make it in the end. It feels the best when you make it in the end."
"Now, I also feel a new wall. I know that if I flinch here, I will be swept away. I want to face it with confidence. I think there will be the Olympics after winning the league. I don't want to miss the chance and I know what I have to do. If possible, I want to show the people who have supported me that I have achieved that. I have been told by Take-san for a long time. 'It's okay, it's okay. I can see myself entering the pros and participating in the Olympics.' I'm sure he will be very happy. I think it's a happy profession to be able to make people happy with something you love."
There is no end in the sky I looked up to. Only one ball floats up. The scenery remains the same. There is only one thing to do. Take a step forward with courage. Honestly, sincerely, that's what Tsuyoshi WATANABE has been doing. Everyone wants to push the back of such a good guy - - After all, Tsuyoshi is a little sneaky.
◇Tsuyoshi WATANABE Profile
text by Kohei Baba
photo by Kenichi Arai,Masahito Sasaki
