Q, was winning the Levain Cup in 2020 your first title, Nagai-san? Is it a significant event in your career?
A, the Final Round was held in January, which felt unique because it usually takes place before the end of the league matches, but this time it was after all the other official matches had finished. It felt strange to still be playing soccer at that time when I had never played soccer until then and it was already the new year. Personally, I remember it because I was focused on the Final Round due to shoulder surgery and other reasons.
Q: How did you feel when you won the title?
A, it felt good. Rather than myself, it was the sight of the fans and supporters being really happy that made me happy. Seeing the joy of the people around me was a heartwarming feeling.
Q: I think you have experienced the joy of winning on the big stage as a representative, but was it different?
A, because it's the championship. It's different from each game in the league. It's a one-shot deal, and it has a slightly unique atmosphere. It was my first final, and it was special to be able to play at the new Japan National Stadium. It's a game where if you lose, there's nothing left, so there was even more relief in winning.
Q: Did winning the title bring about any changes within yourself?
A, honestly, nothing in particular. I was already over 30 years old and had reached a certain level of thinking as a soccer player. I thought that maybe it was because of what I had built up towards that I was able to win the title. It's a feeling of finally reaching this point after building up and persevering.
Q: When you win one title, does your desire for the next title become stronger?
A, it's the league title. There is also the difficulty of not being able to win it without working hard throughout the year, and I was able to reach second place while I was a member. That's why the desire to win it becomes stronger, right?
Q, young players are actively used in the Levain Cup. What is your impression of watching their play?
A, I was watching the Iwata match from the stands, and I thought maybe it would be okay to play more aggressively. Like Yuta ARAI, going all out. Watching him, I thought being young is nice. Youth is the strongest weapon, haha. I think the young players around him also have it, and I want them to make use of it. The way you see things around you is different between players who have that aggressiveness and those who don't, and the experiences they gain are also different. In reality, I think they are trying to express their feelings as well, so maybe the way they express it is still cute.
Q, I want Araki to play his game as hard as possible.
A, I think it's nice to have a name like Yuta (laughs). When I was around the same age as them, I used to go all out and always try to make things happen. There was a sense that if you didn't produce results, you couldn't survive in this world. The young players of today may have a sense that if they wait somewhere, opportunities will come to them. I believe that you have to go after opportunities and if you don't produce results there, there won't be another chance.
Q, do you think that sense of crisis is something that seniors teach or something that young people perceive?
A, recently, there are few young players who proactively approach veteran players. I feel that communication can only be established when we come together. Personally, I have experienced that young players need to be proactive in order to make an impact, so I would like them to come without hesitation. Of course, depending on the game situation, it may be difficult to show aggressiveness. As a player, I also need to focus on my own performance, but there are many players who have experiences that can be shared with others besides me, and I think it would be great if more young players actively join the team and leave various things behind.
