Hotaka NAKAMURA, who suffered a major injury of a ruptured right Achilles tendon in the 10th round of the 2023 Meiji Yasuda J1 League against Albirex Niigata, has returned to full team practice after a long 9-month absence. He spoke about his determination for this season, the bond with his teammates during his rehabilitation period, the success of his fellow players, and his thoughts for the fans and supporters.
Q, Joined the full practice including game format training on January 27th. Did you have any new feelings when you came back?
A, Keigo HIGASHI was told, "You have a good face." I thought soccer was fun and I think that feeling naturally showed on my face. There are many things I think about when I'm on the pitch, but the most important thing is that I can enjoy soccer. The feeling of running up the pitch and the feeling of being back here, this is where I belong, is what I feel. However, I just returned to the starting point. It was a day when I was able to prepare for a new battle from here.
Q, After a period of 9 months, I returned to full team practice. During this time, what were you thinking about?
A, Honestly, there are too many things and I don't remember some parts. To sum it up, it was really tough. Regarding the healing process of the Achilles tendon and rehabilitation, I was supported by many people including trainers and doctors. I thought "I have to do it" and was able to come this far without compromise, but it took a lot of time to accept the reality of being injured and the mental aspect was really tough.
Q, despite approaching the 2023 season with great determination, it was cut short due to a serious injury. I think the frustration still lingers strongly.
A, In the 2022 season under the leadership of coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, it was a very difficult season for me personally, but I also gained a lot. I couldn't accept not achieving results with the Tokyo team, I thought it would be like running away from the current situation. I questioned myself about that and have been fighting with determination every season, but in the 2023 season, I had a strong desire that I couldn't put into words and was able to continue scoring and assisting at a good pace from the camp to the start of the league. If I could play throughout the season, I could see a whole new world - that's what I thought. However, it took me some time to accept the injury that happened at that time.
Q, During the injury period, did you gain any new sensations or things?
A, No matter how much you study and take care of your body, there is always a risk of getting injured. Some people may not get injured even without careful care. In a way, I think there is an element of luck involved. If you keep thinking about the injury, it can lead to denying everything you have done so far, which is something I wanted to avoid. Instead, I accepted that the injury happened and talked to the trainer every day during the recovery period, taking their advice and having a dialogue with my body.
I have no regrets about injuring myself. When I look back at myself before the injury, I can confidently say that I did everything I could. As I mentioned earlier, there is always a risk of injury and there are many times when there is nothing you can do about it. I worked with my trainer to figure out how to heal and improve. The most important thing was to fully recover my Achilles tendon and return at 100%. I always tried to create a state where I wouldn't regret the days I spent, even if something happened. I believe I was able to do that.
I have experienced the biggest disappointment in my life, and there were times when I couldn't see the future and thought I couldn't play soccer anymore. It was the same when I suffered a knee injury, my mental state fluctuated and I inevitably went in a negative direction. In terms of mindset, I have been supported by many people. If I had been alone, I would have surely failed, but in terms of managing my mental state, I was able to maintain a stable mindset and it was one of the areas where I was able to grow.
Q, during the rehabilitation period, you actively participated in team activities.
A, I received a request to become the player representative at the beginning of the season. I had not considered becoming the player representative myself, but I decided that if I was going to do it, I would do everything I could both on and off the pitch. If it ultimately helps Tokyo, I will give my all both on and off the pitch. In the 2023 season, I unfortunately got injured and when I thought about what I could do, I realized that I couldn't contribute on the pitch, but there were many ways I could contribute to the team off the pitch. With the desire to do what I could, I got involved in various things.
A: The part about "the people who supported me" was very impressive, with the message T-shirt for injured player Nakamura.
A, Regarding that T-shirt incident, I was of course not informed about anything and was watching the Kawasaki Frontale match on DAZN in the hospital room just after my surgery. After the game ended, I noticed that the players were all wearing the same T-shirt and upon closer inspection, there was a message written on it, which surprised me. The fact that my teammates were waiting for me, and the image of them wearing the T-shirt during this long recovery period after my surgery, really struck me. My teammates fought desperately and won the Tama River Clasico, and they wore the message T-shirt for me. If there are people who are willing to wait for me like this, it would be unfair for me to dwell on the negatives, and I thought about whether I would be able to see everyone again in this state. It was a very difficult time, but it was also a moment when I made up my mind and it became a source of support during the tough times.
"Behind the Birth of the Hotaka ~ Message T-Shirt ~" ishere
Q, at the same time, there were also messages from fans and supporters.
A, It may sound like a cliche, but I was able to feel once again that "I am not alone". As mentioned earlier, many people have sent me messages and are waiting for my return, so I felt that I must return to that place. I will turn negative things and painful feelings into power and do whatever it takes to come back. That is the only way I can repay the fans and supporters, and no matter how cool things I say, players can only repay through soccer and play. The only thing I can do is to show my performance on the pitch for the fans and supporters. I know there will be tough battles and competition for positions, but I want to believe in myself and do my best.
Q, including the position battle, I'm looking forward to it.
A, No player is guaranteed a starting position in any position this season, and I think it has become a team with a deep roster. However, that's how it is in the world of professional soccer players. There is no excuse for being injured. I also want to jump into a fierce competition from the beginning and prove my strength by grabbing a position.
Q, don't you also have a strong desire to not lose to players like Shuto ABE and Kazuya KONNO?
A, of course there is joy in their current success, but to be honest, the feeling of regret is even greater. Personally, I fell behind due to injury, but I am ready to catch up. "Konn-chan and Shuuto, wait for me. I will catch up and surpass you soon," I believe that is what it means to be classmates. Our positions may be different, but we are classmates, teammates, and two people who never want to lose. I will definitely catch up.
