Why The Most Famous Player In Asia Mysteriously Retired At 29

Comments · 808

• TO

  @tombowers6713 · 3 years ago

  The Japanese "Beckham". He didn't enjoy the limelight that's why he walked away. And that's why you haven't heard of him since. Absolute legend and respect his decision.

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• DA

  @dalfvideos · 3 years ago

  I first knew about him by reading Maradona's autobiography. He listed 100 players he liked and Nakata was one of them. "if all the Japanese started playing like this, we'd be done for.  He knows how to hit the ball, dribble...thank goodness the Japanese are busy with other things, still!"

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• GI

  @gingergreek · 3 years ago

  Man there's a throwback. Nakata was phenomenal. Sad to hear he retired so early

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• PL

  @plebius1877 · 3 years ago

  Unfortunately I think most of us can relate to his story. Most of us grew up playing football as a way to escape a rough childhood for a bit, or because of the big love we had for it. It didn’t matter who you are or where you come from, since in football all of us were united. But now it’s business and money laundering more than anything. Passion died long ago.

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• JK

  @JKribbit · 3 years ago

  King Kazu (Miura) opened the door for Nakata to play in the Serie A. But Nakata opened the door for ALL future Japanese talents to play in Europe. From Nakamura at Celtic, Nagatomo at Inter, Kagawa at Dortmund to Mitoma at Brighton. Nakata showed the world that Japanese players has what it takes to play in the best leagues against the best. Legend!

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• OM

  @omnipotentcheese6359 · 3 years ago

  Nakata was absolute class, playing in serie a when it was still great. football manager legend as well then he just dissappeared.

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• GT

  @gts1300 · 3 years ago (edited)

  Nakata is a cult hero among Roma fans. We remain thankful for his decisive goals that earned us our last Serie A to date.<br>It saddened me when I learned that he retired at such an early age. Nonetheless, I also came to know that just after that, ashamed of the fact that he didn&apos;t know much about his own country, he decided to tour Japan to know more about its cultures and traditions. He&apos;s an incredible footballer and a fascinating man.<br>PS: Geat job as usual on the video. I love how you&apos;re shedding a light on footballers that the media stopped talking about. Football in the 1990s and the 2000s was just incredibly filled with talent.

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• GE

  @gerjaison · 3 years ago

  For all you youngster who were born in the 90s..... he really was big. Even in Italy.

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• MA

  @MatheusSouza-li4jf · 3 years ago

  If only we had more players with his mentality, with loyalty like Reus or Totti, football would be much better.

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• AC

  @acediamond7524 · 3 years ago

  Nakata was a great player!<br><br>He always gave everything for Japan at international level as well!

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• DO

  @doe22us · 3 years ago

  Once his passion went, it was a wrap, not a lot of people can have the courage to do what he did.

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• BU

  @buzzbuzz3254 · 3 years ago

  the streets will never forget Hidetoshi. A true baller and sportsman.

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