Nakata come to Besiktas, please We need creative Players with experience. The Japanese Brise in Turkey would be fantastic, because The Asian Soccer is developes fast and fully. In 4 years the Japanese and Korean Soccer is on the highest level. Iran is coming quickly, too. There isn`t a big different betwen Asian and the European Clubs. Iran have some Players in Europe with contracts at big Clubs. I`m looking confidently forward in purchase to Asian Soccer.
I knew he would retire from the national team, but I thought he would at least keep playing in Japan. Kazu is still playing in J2! He seems to be intereted in pursing something entirely different from soccer. I wanted him to work for JFA after quitting his professional career, but he didn't say that. Farewell.
Miura Kazu and Del Piero are reported to be persuading Nakata to reconsider and come back. http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20060705-00000009-spn-spo http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20060705-00000118-nks-spo These probably won't be enough to change Nakata's mind... But there is a slim, very slim chance that he may come back. At least, I'm hoping so. I respect Nakata's decision, but I'm also hoping for one more last shine for him.
Even if Nakata does return to professional football, what would it be for? As I noted earlier, the lack of ambition in him means he's been a different player. He isn't good enough to consistently play high end football now - this has been shown time and time again over the years. On the other hand, I doubt he would settle for a lower league. He could go to clubs like Bolton and be a bit-part player, but you would've thought he's sick and tired of that pattern. It then seems more ideal to retire now and do something else while he's young. I too find it sad to see him go, yet I can't help but feel it is the most rational choice.
I wonder if there is any chance that he would look into joining the MLS in the US? There's less pressure there for european and asian players. I would love to see him play in the states. He would be one of the best out here! Beckham will most likely be playing in the MLS after he's finished with Real Madrid. There might not be much money offered from the MLS since we're still a young league but football is starting to expand here in the states. There's plenty of japanese peeps here in California that would love to see him play again. I hope and pray that I could see him out on the pitch one more time.
I dunno......he says he hates the media attention and it is a lot more low key in terms of publicity. It's also a chance for him to live in a different culture and he seems to like that. That being said, my bet is on him teaming up with Kazu at Yokohama FC if they get promoted. It would keep him in Kanagawa and he could be the star of a franchise.
as a south korean fan, im relieved that nakata is retiring because he was simply one of the most dangerous men in japan's soccer squad and we won't have to face him again... He was a brilliant player with phenomenal ability and skill that is envied by millions... although you guys still have rising stars, nakata will be one of the most important players in japan's history... good luck to him
Thanks mate, but I wish I had your optimism of Nakata. No doubt he's a good player particularly in experience, but the most dangerous? I wish. Most of the time now he's a bad passer of the ball and workrate is the only saving grace in games where he's awake. Time for him to move on for sure.
ahh, he sounds like he was really disappointed with Japan's NT performance during wc. Once he sulks a bit, I bet he comes back as others have said as well. He is only 29. What's he going to do? Appear at Japanese variety shows for the next 20 years? I hope he stays in the EPL.
If you ask me, because he has always been a spoiled brat, and this is the definitive proof. Just my opinion, anyway.
i feel very sad about that, but japan got enough talents like Matsui, Fujimoto, Kobayashi, Hasebe.... They will come over it
IMO, Nakata could have goen to Bundesliga, Le Chanpionnat, Eridivisie, Jupiler League, etc....... But don't know why he retired. May be he didn't wanted to go there. I am astonished that he is going to Harvard to study. Nakata is not like other Japanese players. He is different. He has his own plan himself for his future. Nakata deserve to get respect from others.
Although Japan showed the world below expectation, Nakata played well. He played well against Croatia. His mid-range shot was awesome.
He could have gone to those leagues, but like I wrote at length earlier his main problem seems to be the lack of motivation to improve his game. He knows that he can't be successful without making effort. Makes perfect sense why he decided to retire. The only thing that can bring him back now is a massive surge of motivation and love for the ball he had in his early 20s. He couldn't do that for YEARS now. How likely is it that he gets it now. If he comes back, I think he will play very well. IF he comes back.
It must be hard to keep the motivation level high when there is not as much glory. To get bounced to Bolton must have kinda sucked for Hidetoshi who was largely touted as asia's best player for awhile. But it's too early for someone like him to retire. Maybe he needs a soccer sabbatical. He should consider going back to the J-league, and not think of it as a career downgrade, but an opportunity to improve Japan's game overall... God only knows he will get a crap load of glory if he played in the J-league... As a Korean American fan, it displeases me to lose an Asian face in the EPL. He is the same age as Lee Young Pyo, and I wanted to see some Tottenham vs Bolton games. Fun rivalries. Oh well. Maybe he will have an epiphany and realize that he really belongs in Reading F.C. That would be rock my world.