rach 1 Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 That was a bit of a shock, only 29. He was my favourite player in the Japanese team (admittedly he didn't have much competition for said position!) I wonder what he will do now. More ads? Commentary? Something completely different? Link to post Share on other sites
bobby12 0 Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 He surely must be loaded enough already and have some business interest to pursue. Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that at his peak a few years back he was in the top 10 earners in world football. Of course I read it somewhere, so it could well be rubbish. But he does seem to have a ton of ad contracts going on and the like. Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 yeah, too bad eh! Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 is he quitting soccer or just the Japan national team? That sounds like a dumb question... Link to post Share on other sites
fukdane 2 Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 Quitting playing soccer in general.. Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 yeah, he announced his retirement from all forms of the game. I like Nakata, but it sounds to me a bit like a case of "If I can't win then I'm packing up my toys and going home!" Seems he has just had a gutfull of playing for a shit national side. Link to post Share on other sites
fukdane 2 Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 Either that or he is just incredibly loaded and tired so why not?!! Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 Yes I'll miss his refreshing honesty and contempt for stupid interviews. We are left with lots of yoroshiku onegai shimasu-ers. Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 yeah, always enjoyed his attitude in the media. Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 read what he wrote he wrote it in japanese and english on his website. he said that the game just wasnt fun anymore. He said that he always tried to hard the parts of him so that he could look and play stronger but that it was starting drag him down. That last lay down on the pitch was how he wanted to feel. Its very good write up about a man and the presure that he felt since he turned pro. He just said that he wont play not that he was quiting soccer Link to post Share on other sites
AK 77 0 Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 nakata pretty much single handedly showed japanese kids that it was possible to be a professional football player, at international level, and by doing so dragged the whole standard of the Japanese team up with him. I don't think anyone can criticise him for quitting now! He is kind of a one-man older generation, and if the younger guys aren't stepping up and surpassing him, then why should he keep punishing himself at that level? plus he always seemed like a decent guy on TV Link to post Share on other sites
2pints-mate 0 Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 BBC have this: Japan's Hidetoshi Nakata is busy making impressive plans after announcing his retirement from international football, preparing to launch a fashion brand bearing his name and considering enrolling at the famous Harvard Business School. (Times) Link to post Share on other sites
farquah 0 Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 read a while back that he had his finger in some business pots, and had been thinking of starting his own business for some time. Seems as though he has his head on straight also, but would like to see him put something back into the game in japan to try and pull the standard up. Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 He sure seems pretty smart, unlike many footie players. I'm sure he will have successes off the field, he has done more than enough if he wants to walk away. Link to post Share on other sites
echineko 1 Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 Nakata is cool, I like him. Link to post Share on other sites
snowbender 3 Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 Look at the sponsors on his website. I'm sure he will managed without the football. Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 I think he will yep. No need to worry Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted July 22, 2006 Share Posted July 22, 2006 Some tv special on him the other night, really interesting. I didn't know much about him before, seems like a really decent bloke. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts