On September 10, Japan national team coach Hajime Moriyasu (58) appeared on Fuji TV's live program "Pokapoka," where he spoke about veteran defender Nagatomo (39, FC Tokyo), who has played in five consecutive World Cups with Japan.

Nagatomo, who will turn 40 on September 12, came off the bench in Japan's final group match against Sweden at this World Cup, setting a record as the first Asian player to do so. As a spiritual leader in the team, he made a significant contribution. After the World Cup, Nagatomo considered retirement but ultimately decided to continue his career, staying with FC Tokyo in the J1 League for the new season.

Moriyasu praised the veteran highly, saying: "He always maintains a positive attitude, and even as a veteran footballer, he remains disciplined in training and carefully maintains his competitive condition."

Regarding the controversy surrounding Nagatomo's inclusion in the World Cup squad, Moriyasu reaffirmed: "At that time, media opinions were mixed, but in my view, he truly deserved to be selected. He earned his place on the national team through his on-field performance, proving his worth perfectly."

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