Yuto Nagatomo

Yuto Nagatomo (長友 佑都, Nagatomo Yūto, born 12 September 1986) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a full-back for Ligue 1 club Marseille and Japan national team.[3]

Yuto Nagatomo
Nagatomo playing for Japan at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name Yuto Nagatomo[1]
Date of birth (1986-09-12) 12 September 1986[1]
Place of birth Saijō, Ehime, Japan
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Position(s) Fullback
Club information
Current team
 Marseille
Number 25
Youth career
2002–2004 Higashi Fukuoka High School
2005–2007 Meiji University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2011 FC Tokyo 72 (5)
2010–2011 → Cesena (loan) 16 (0)
2011–2018 Internazionale 170 (9)
2018–2020 Galatasaray 47 (2)
2020– Marseille 3 (0)
National team‡
2008 Japan U-23 2 (0)
2008– Japan 123 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11 November 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 13 November 2020

Club career

FC Tokyo

Nagatomo officially signed with FC Tokyo in 2008,[4] while at Meiji. But he made an appearance at J.League Cup as Special Designated Youth Player in 2007. Nagatomo made 84 appearances in his four years at FC Tokyo.

Cesena

In July 2010, Nagatomo was signed on loan by the newly promoted Serie A side A.C. Cesena, where he played the first half of the season as Cesena's starting left back.[5][6] Before moving to Italy, Nagatomo gave a speech to 25,000 supporters just after the match involving F.C. Tokyo and Vissel Kobe on 17 July 2010. After being signed on a permanent deal, Nagatomo was then sold to Internazionale.

Internazionale
Nagatomo with Inter in 2011

Due to his impressive performances for both Cesena and Japan in the 2011 Asian Cup, he was fully signed by Cesena in January 2011.[7] But before making any league appearances he was sent straight out on loan to Internazionale in exchange for Davide Santon also on loan, becoming the first East Asian player to sign with Internazionale.[8][9]

Nagatomo, wearing number 55, made his debut for Nerazzurri on 6 February 2011, replacing Wesley Sneijder in the Serie A match against Roma, won by Inter 5–3.[10] In the following game, Nagatomo came on as a late substitute against Juventus, before starting in both of the following games against Fiorentina and Cagliari. Nagatomo showed his versatility by playing right back against Sampdoria on 27 February, and finishing the whole 90 minutes.[11][12] On 6 March 2011, Nagatomo scored his first goal for Inter in the 5–2 trashing of Genoa on a Kharja assist with a swivel and a finish into the roof of the net.[13]

On 15 March, to show solidarity with his home country in light of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami which took place the previous week he paraded the Japanese flag (with the writing "You'll Never Walk Alone", a chant of his former team in Tokyo) around the pitch during a Champions League match against Bayern Munich.[14] Inter had drawn German club side Schalke 04 in the quarter-finals of Champions League. Nagatomo, along with international teammate Atsuto Uchida, who played for Schalke, became the second and third Japanese footballer to play in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions league. (Keisuke Honda was the first, playing for CSKA Moscow during 2009–10 season).

After the Serie A season was over, Internazionale made an agreement with Cesena of making Yuto's move permanent in a cash plus player exchange deal. Nagatomo was valued at €10.95 million,[15] however part of the fee was paid via half of the registration rights of Luca Garritano (€700,000)[15] and Luca Caldirola (€2.5 million).

Nagatomo started his second Inter Milan season by playing 62 minutes in the opening Serie A match against Palermo, ended in a 4–3 away defeat.[16] On 27 September 2011, Nagatomo provided an assist for Giampaolo Pazzini by nutmegging Aleksei Berezutski before driving the ball across goal during the 3–2 away win against CSKA Moscow in the second group stage match of Champions League.[17] He scored his first goal of the season on 10 December 2011 during the 2–0 home win against Fiorentina in the matchday 15 of Serie A.[18] He was again in the scoresheet three days later as he headed home a Ricky Álvarez cross in the 1–0 win against Genoa.[19] In the last match of 2011 against Lecce at home, Nagatomo produced a "man of the match" performance by providing two assists in an eventual 4–1 win.[20]

Nagatomo enjoyed his most productive season under Walter Mazzarri, scoring five goals, along with six assists during the 2013–14 season.[21][22]

Nagatomo lost his place in the starting lineup in the 2014–15 season, making only 14 league appearances. He captained Inter for the first time on 28 September 2014 in the 2014–15 Serie A matchday 5 versus Cagliari, leaving the field in the 27th minutes after receiving two yellow cards in 120 seconds as Inter was defeated 1–4 at San Siro.[23] Nagatomo said that he had turned down a January 2016 offer from Premier League outfit Manchester United, stating that his intentions were to renew with Inter.[24]

On 8 April 2016, Nagatomo agreed a contract extension with the club, signing until June 2019.[25] During the 2016–17 season, he played 20 matches in all competitions, including 16 in league, 11 of them as starter, as Inter finished 7th in championship, was eliminated in the quarter-final of Coppa Italia by Lazio, and finished bottom in Europa League Group K.[26]

Nagatomo improved his game at the start of 2017–18 season under new manager Luciano Spalletti, winning his place once again.[27] His 200th official appearance for Inter occurred on 16 September 2017 in the matchday 3 match at Crotone, winning a free kick that lead to the first goal in an eventual 0–2 win.[28] Later on 12 December, Nagatomo played 120 minutes in the 2017–18 Coppa Italia round of 16 fixture against underdogs of Pordenone.[29] The match went to penalty shootouts where he netted the winning penalty in the 5–4 penalty shootout that led Internazionale to the victory and progression to quarter-finals.[30]

Galatasaray

On 31 January 2018, Nagatomo joined Turkish club Galatasaray on loan for the remainder of the 2017–18 season.[31] On 30 June 2018 the deal was made permanent.[32]

Marseille

On 31 August 2020, Nagatomo signed with Ligue 1 club Marseille on a free transfer.[33] He made his first appearance for the club in a 1–1 league draw against Lille on 20 September 2020.[34]

International career

Nagatomo earned his first international cap for Japan on 24 May 2008 in a friendly against Ivory Coast. His first international goal was scored in a friendly against Syria held on 13 November 2008. Nagatomo was also a member of the Japan U-21 team for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Nagatomo playing for Japan in 2009

2010 FIFA World Cup

He was called up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup for Japan.

2011 AFC Asian Cup

Nagatomo was selected as part of the Japan squad for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup by coach Alberto Zaccheroni. He featured in every game Japan played in the competition and helped them defeat Australia in the final, thus earning his first international honour.

2013 FIFA Confederations Cup

He was included in Alberto Zaccheroni's 23-man Japan squad for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup where he featured in the three games before they were eliminated in the group stage.[35]

2014 FIFA World Cup and later
Nagatomo and Turkmen player Mihail Titow at 2019 Asian Cup

Nagatomo was part of Japan's national squad to play in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He started in all three group matches but Japan was eliminated in the group stage.

Nagatomo earned his 100th international cap on 10 November 2017 by captaining his side in the 1–3 friendly loss to Brazil at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille.[36] This made his only the 7th Japan player to achieve the feat.[37][38]

Later he was selected for 2018 World Cup and 2019 Asian Cup.

Currently with 121 caps he is third most capped nation's player.

Personal life

Nagatomo is married to Japanese actress Airi Taira. The couple had maintained a long-distance relationship for several years as Taira was based in Japan.[39] Nagatomo proposed to her on the San Siro pitch in February 2016[40] and they registered their marriage in January 2017.[41] Both of them appeared in the Captain Tsubasa Olympics special which, aired as part of the annual Jikan Terebi Nihon no Sport wa Tsuyo in November 2019.[42]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 20 September 2020[43][3]
Club Season League League Cup1 League Cup2 Continental3 Other4 Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
FC Tokyo 2007 J.League Division 1 00—10—10
2008 J.League Division 1 2933030—353
2009 J.League Division 1 3111041—362
2010 J.League Division 1 121—10—131
Total 72540910000856
Cesena (loan) 2010–11 Serie A 16000—160
Internazionale 2010–11 Serie A 13230—30—192
2011–12 Serie A 35210—70—432
2012–13 Serie A 25020—82—352
2013–14 Serie A 34520—365
2014–15 Serie A 14010—30—180
2015–16 Serie A 22040—260
2016–17 Serie A 16000—40—200
2017–18 Serie A 11020—130
Total 1709150002520021011
Galatasaray (loan) 2017–18 Süper Lig 15010—160
Galatasaray 2018–19 Süper Lig 17100—7010251
2019–20 Süper Lig 15121—6010242
Total 472310013020653
Marseille 2020–21 Ligue 1 1000—000010
Career total 30616221913822037720

1Includes Emperor's Cup, Coppa Italia and Turkish Cup.

2Include J.League Cup.

3Includes UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

4Include Turkish Super Cup.

International
As of 13 November 2020[44]
Japan
YearAppsGoals
200871
2009112
2010160
2011100
2012100
2013120
2014100
2015100
201650
2017100
201880
2019121
202010
Total1234

International goals

Japan score listed first, score column indicates score after each Nagatomo goal.

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.13 November 2008Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan Syria1–03–1Friendly
2.31 May 2009National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan Belgium1–04–0
3.8 October 2009Outsourcing Stadium, Shizuoka, Japan Hong Kong2–06–02011 AFC Asian Cup qualification
4.10 October 2019Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan Mongolia3–06–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Club
Tokyo[3]
Internazionale
Galatasaray
Marseille

International
Japan

Individual

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2019 Captain Tsubasa Himself Main cast

See also

References
  1. "FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 4 June 2010. p. 16. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  2. "National Team Squad". jfa.or.jp. Japan Football Association. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  3. "Japan – Yuto Nagatomo – Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  4. 長友佑都選手(明治大学) 来季新加入内定のお知らせ [Nagatomo Yuto player (Meiji University) (is) next season's new signing]. FC Tokyo (in Japanese). 19 December 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  5. "Il difensore giapponese Yuto Nagatomo al Cesena". AC Cesena (in Italian). 14 July 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  6. 長友佑都選手 チェゼーナへ期限付き移籍決定のお知らせ [Player Nagatomo Yuto to Cesena in period confirmed]. FC Tokyo (in Japanese). 14 July 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  7. Emanuele Melfi (28 January 2011). "Cesena, Nagatomo è tutto bianconero". tuttomercatoweb.com (in Italian). Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  8. "Davide Santon è del Cesena, Nagatomo all'Inter" [Davide Santon to Cesena, Nagatomo to Inter]. AC Cesena (in Italian). 31 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  9. "Yuto Nagatomo joins Inter". F.C. Internazionale Milano. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  10. Andrew McLean (6 February 2011). "Inter 5-3 Roma: Samuel Eto'o And The Nerazzurri Hold Off A Spirited Roman Comeback". Goal.com. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  11. "Nagatomo playing at right full back". WhoScored.com.
  12. "Sampdoria 0-2 Inter: Sneijder and Eto'o". inter.it. 27 February 2011. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  13. "Internazionale vs. Genoa 2 – 0". Soccerway. 6 March 2011. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  14. "長友が日の丸に「心は一つ」、欧州CLで被災地へメッセージ". Reuters (in Japanese). 16 March 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  15. FC Internazionale Milano Report and Accounts on 30 June 2011 (in Italian)
  16. "Palermo vs. Internazionale 4 – 3". Soccerway. 11 September 2011. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  17. "Zárate winner gets Inter going at CSKA". UEFA. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  18. Kris Voakes (10 December 2011). "Inter 2-0 Fiorentina: Pazzini and Nagatomo lead Ranieri's side back to winning ways". Goal.com. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  19. "Genoa vs. Internazionale 0 – 1". Soccerway. 13 December 2011. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  20. Adam Wheeler (21 December 2011). "Inter 4-1 Lecce: Nerazzurri recover from early setback to record confident victory". Goal.com. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  21. "Yuto Nagatomo Career Statistics". whoscored.com.
  22. "Nagatomo Career Statistics". LegaSerieA.it.
  23. "Yuto Nagatomo sent off and Inter Milan crushed 4-1 by lowly Cagliari". The National. 29 September 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  24. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11860/10163923/yuto-nagatomo-claims-he-turned-down-manchester-united
  25. "Yuto Nagatomo signs new Inter Milan contract until 2019". ESPN FC. 8 April 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  26. "Group stage". UEFA. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  27. Richard Hall (29 October 2017). "Yuto Nagatomo Looks A Different Player At Inter Milan Under Luciano Spalletti". The Sportsman. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  28. https://www.inter.it/ba/news/2017/09/17/crotone-0-2-inter-semua-yang-perlu-kamu-ketahui.html
  29. "Coppa: Inter scrape past heroic Pordenone". Football Italia. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  30. "Nagatomo rescues Inter in Italian Cup". Pulse News Agency International. Pulse.com. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  31. "Inter, Nagatomo in Turchia: visite con il Galatasaray". Corriere dello Sport. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  32. "Yuto Nagatomo joins Galatasaray". inter.it. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  33. "Transferts : Yuto Nagatomo à l'OM, c'est officiel". L'Équipe. 31 August 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  34. Rault, Mathieu (20 September 2020). "OM-LOSC : les compositions officielles !". Foot Mercato (in French). Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  36. "NAGATOMO MAKES 100TH INTERNATIONAL APPEARANCE". inter.it. 11 November 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  37. Yoon Hyung-Jin. "Japan International Match – List of Full International Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  38. Mamrud, Roberto. "Japan – Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  39. "Taira Airi & Nagatomo Yuto register their marriage". tokyohive. 6Theory Media, LLC. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  40. "Nagatomo, actress Taira confirm wedding plans". The Japan Times. 24 December 2016.
  41. 長友佑都＆平愛梨がゴールイン 結婚報告「家族となりました！」 (in Japanese). Oricon News. 29 January 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  42. "Footballer Yuto Nagatomo Stars in Captain Tsubasa Special Anime". 21 October 2019.
  43. Yuto Nagatomo > Club matches worldfootball.net
  44. Yuto Nagatomo at National-Football-Teams.com
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