Do You Remember Them #7- Shunsuke Nakamura

Biodata

Full Name: Shunsuke Nakamura

Nationality: Japanese

Date of Birth: 24 June 1978

Position: Midfielder

Current Club: Yokohama FC

Former Clubs:

1997- 2002 Yokohama F. Marinos

2002- 2005 Reggina

2005- 2009 Celtic

2009- 2010 Espanyol

2010- 2016 Yokohama F. Marinos

2017- 2019 Jubilo Iwata

International Career:

2000- 2010 Japan

Achievement:

Celtic

2005- 2006 Scottish Premier League

2005- 2006 Scottish League Cup

2006- 2007 Scottish Premier League

2006- 2007 Scottish Cup

2007- 2008 Scottish Premier League

2008- 2009 Scottish League Cup

Yokohama F. Marinos

2001 J League Cup

2013 Emperor’s Cup

Japan

2000 AFC Asian Cup

2004 AFC Asian Cup

Career

Named one of the best Asian players to play in Europe, nominated for the Ballon d’Or, the Most Valuable Player in 2004 AFC Asian Cup and the asteroid named after him. This is one of the most impressive resumes for an Asian player who spent most of his prime playing career in Europe. So, who is the icon that carries the torch of Asian football in his prime time?

Shunsuke Nakamura began playing football at the age of 5 with the local junior club side, Misono FC. At the age of 19, Nakamura signed with Yokohama Marinos (which later known as Yokohama F. Marinos). He finished his debut season with an impressive 31 appearances and 5 goals. Nakamura’s playmaking ability is discovered in the following seasons and considered as one of the best young players in Japan. In his peak season, Nakamura registered 5 goals and 11 assists in the 2000 J League. His impressive form had gained him his first national cap in February 2000 and scored his first national goal in the next match against Brunei. He is also the key player that help Japan to win the 2000 AFC Asia Cup. In the following year, Nakamura is one of the main players to help Yokohama F. Marinos to win the 2001 J League. His impressive performance had attracted several clubs in Europe including the likes of Real Madrid.

After being left off of Japan’s 2002 World Cup squad, Nakamura felt he had to leave Japan to further develop his career. He signed for Reggina in 2002 and handed a number 10 shirt by the club. Nakamura finished his debut season in Europe with 32 appearances and 7 goals which are the tied lead top scorer. His contribution had helped Reggina narrowly avoid relegation in that season. Nakamura carries his impressive club form in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup. In which Japan national team retain their title and Nakamura as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. However, his last season in Italy has been declining due to the fact of his injuries and managerial changes. He decided to move on to regain his form elsewhere. Despite attention from various top clubs like Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, Nakamura chose to sign for the Scottish giant, Celtic.

The moment that Nakamura joined Celtic, the club was in a minor crisis. The Celtic manager at that time, Gordon Strachan immediately inserted Nakamura into the match lineup. He did not disappoint the faith of his manager as he helped Celtic to reach a domestic double in his first season. Nakamura’s status as the Celtic cult hero is established as he scored a stunning free-kick against Manchester United in his second season at Glasgow. This free-kick making him the first-ever Japanese to score in a Champions League game. With his magnificent form in Glasgow, Nakamura was also nominated in the 2007 Ballon d’Or, which eventually won by Kaka in that edition. This is one of the highest points of Asian football in recent footballing history. In his four years stay in Glasgow, Nakamura has won three Scottish league title and two Scottish Cup titles. After his four glorious years in Scotland, Nakamura moved on to Spain to play in Espanyol.

However, Nakamura’s career in Spain wasn’t particularly great. His manager at the time, Mauricio Pochettino even suggesting that cultural issue was the major issue in his slow adaptation to Spanish football. His stay in Spain was destined to be a short one as he returned to his former club, Yokohama F. Marinos after just one season. His return to Yokohama proved to be a fruitful one as he led the team to the best total points since they won the tournament. Nakamura’s influence in Yokohama is still very strong despite his age. His injury in the 2013 season was seen as the main reason that Yokohama F. Marinos collapse in the league, which finishing one point behind Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the title race. Nevertheless, Nakamura was awarded as J League Most Valuable Player and becoming the first and only multiple-time winner. He is also the oldest recipient of the award. After another six years stay in Yokohama F. Marinos, Nakamura left the club and since joined Jubilo Iwata and Yokohama FC.

At the age of 41, Nakamura is still playing in the J2 League with Yokohama FC. He had not stated his retirement date until the day of writing. Therefore, the Japanese fans still have the chance to witness the greatness of Shunsuke Nakamura in the Japanese League. And us football fans are still reminiscing his awesomeness in prime years.