According to the Japanese media outlet Sports Nippon, 39-year-old Japanese national team defender Yuto Nagatomo has decided to continue his professional career and has renewed his contract with FC Tokyo.
Yuto Nagatomo's original contract expired at the end of June, leaving him without a club. His decision was driven by a desire to repay his former club for their continued support. He will formally address the fans at FC Tokyo's home game against Machida on the 8th, the season opener.
Nagatomo has decided to continue playing, primarily to pursue his final dream of winning FC Tokyo's first J1 title. He is expected to join the team's training next week and is likely to return to action in the second round match on the 15th, away against Vissel Kobe. He will also appear at the Ajinomoto Stadium for the opening match on the 8th to personally express his feelings to the fans he loves. Initially, the thought of retirement crossed his mind. He staked his entire football career on this summer's World Cup. Therefore, after losing to Brazil in the first knockout round and failing to achieve his goal, he remained tight-lipped about his future. He only said at the time, "I have absolutely no plans for the next step. The flame that burned for four years has now gone out. If I were to answer immediately, I would probably think, 'Then I'll retire.' So I want to calm down, rest, have a dialogue with my own heart, and then decide what to do next." Nagatomo's contract with FC Tokyo ended at the end of June, and he spent this period as an unaffiliated player. Ultimately, what brought him back to the field was the idea of "repaying a debt of gratitude."
In a match against Mito in March, Nagatomo suffered a right thigh injury. Such serious injuries typically require about three months of recovery, and he even considered giving up his World Cup dream. However, the club fully supported his recovery, and the trainers sacrificed their rest time to stay by his side. Without the club's support, he could not have participated in five consecutive World Cups. Next month, on the 12th, Nagatomo will celebrate his 40th birthday. If he plays as a defender in J1 at that time, he will become the fifth player in history to do so. He will also be aiming for the record held by Masashi Nakayama—the oldest Japanese player to score in J1—at 40 years, 6 months, and 6 days. With the J League transitioning to an autumn/spring format and entering a new era, Nagatomo's challenges continue.
