Kawasaki Frontale’s Kengo Nakamura (40) has announced his retirement for this season only.

He was a player who values ​​the fans and the media. In post-match coverage, the choice of words is precise and the explanation is easy to understand. I’ve only been in charge for two seasons since 2006, but I also learned about football through Kengo’s comments. Maybe even if I hadn’t seen the game, I even thought that I could understand the points and points of the game just by listening to the speech.

When he was in his fourth year at Chuo University, he played in the second division of the Kanto University League. Kawasaki F decided to join the group of apprentices, and at that time J2. I know the time when 5,000 people did not gather at the Isoriki Stadium before the renovation. Therefore, I am grateful for the support and I feel the joy of bringing the audience together. This is why you can naturally say hello to the Kawasaki City shopping streets.

From a certain time, Kengo wrote a column in a soccer magazine. The manuscript was extraordinarily good. Personally, I haven’t had such a surprise since Mr. Suedai was ashore. Because I think about things theoretically, the comments after the match are accurate and the text is straightforward. The only thing I couldn’t explain well was why I had the ability to get a panoramic view of the field. You can make an exquisite pass because you can see where the players are from the bird’s point of view. Kengo’s strength lies here, but I remember saying, “I can’t explain it well, but I can see it.”

When he was in charge, the average J-Leaguer who rode the Toyota Estima was selected as the representative of Japan and has become a player who symbolizes the club. I remember missing Mr. Rui Ramos and, after joining the national team, I talked about the fun of playing soccer with Shunsuke Nakamura. His favorite player was Josep Guardiola, who was active in Barcelona and elsewhere.

Guardiora was also successful as a director. Kengo will probably be a good leader. The communication skills that can verbalize what you are thinking is a great weapon. However, it is sad to imagine it after retirement. I want to see more games. He scored a goal on the day he turned 40 and announced his retirement the next day. If you are so surprised, it’s okay if you announce your retirement after the season and are surprised again …[Ichiro Sasaki]