Q: What impact does winning titles have, considering that player Takahagi has won titles at both domestic and international clubs?
A, if you're not someone who has won a title, you wouldn't have a strong desire to win more titles, right? People who have won many titles tend to have a greater sense of ambition, so I believe that experience will lead to the acquisition of the next title.
Q, will the visible scenery change?
A, it's more like a scenery or emotion. The emotion that wells up can only be felt when winning a title. It's incomparable to the enjoyable or happy emotions felt at other times. Sanfrecce Hiroshima has also won the league championship, and in Korea, we have won both the league title and cup title. I think there is a slight difference in meaning between the league and cup. Tokyo doesn't have a league title yet, so I think being able to experience that will give the team and the club a different sensation.
Q: In the Levain Cup, young players also have the opportunity to participate. How do you see their presence, Mr. Takahagi?
AThere are times when it is difficult to see the feelings that are put into each game. Like "I will seize the chance to play in the next league match in this game" or "I will do whatever it takes to win this game to connect to the next one." If you don't show those emotions, they won't be conveyed to the viewers or the coaching staff. I want them to play with a fighting spirit or a rebellious spirit, to expose those kinds of things.
In the world of professional football, it's not like if you wait, your turn will automatically come. You can't think, "If I don't get results in this match, I won't have another chance" or "I have no more opportunities" and expect to be able to play in the next match, whether it's the Levain Cup or a series of consecutive matches.
Personally, I have always put my all into the game in front of me since I was young, and I still do. Even when I came on as a substitute in the Levain Cup match against Iwata (March 15, 2022), I played with that mindset. I have a sense of urgency that if I don't perform well here, I won't get the next opportunity. I hope to show that aspect more prominently.
Q, is that attitude something that is directly conveyed through words or something that is felt?
A, it's not about showing it in the play, and I don't think there's any need to talk about it. Whether they are called young players or veteran players, they are rivals regardless of age or experience in the professional world, and I myself play with that intention. I don't want to lose to players in the same position, and I want to play in the game. I feel that if that's gone, I won't be a professional anymore.
