Yuto Nagatomo praises Ritsu Doan's dedication; the true meaning of the Japan number 10 — Sportopod
Yuto Nagatomo speaks on Ritsu Doan's dedication: The obsession with victory embodied by the number 10
Japan national team veteran defender Yuto Nagatomo heaps praise on the defensive dedication of Ritsu Doan, who wears the number 10. His attitude of putting his body on the line for the team, not just for goals, demonstrates a new form of leadership.
Yuto Nagatomo, a veteran defender for the Japan national team who has long reigned as the team's spiritual pillar, has offered unprecedented praise for the unique and sublime playing style of Ritsu Doan, the "number 10" MF who currently carries the team. Nagatomo defined Doan not merely as a player who records attacking numbers like goals and assists, but as someone who expands his role for the team's top priority—victory—and shows dedicated work like a defender. He defined this as the true way of the "number 10" in modern .
Nagatomo's words contain important hints for the image of the team Japan aims for heading into the FIFA World Cup 2026 and for turning individual talent into organizational power. Behind these remarks lies a highly significant episode from a players' meeting ahead of the Tunisia match. In this meeting, Nagatomo passionately explained how the "dedication" of reserve players supporting the team from the bench, not just the 11 fighting on the pitch, directly leads to victory.
Hearing this speech, Ritsu Doan deeply empathized with the words and actually put them into practice in his play. Specifically, while fulfilling his creative role as an attacking MF, his transition to defense after losing the ball boasted astonishing speed and intensity. He pressed opponents who were the starting point of attacks from distances that surprised even defenders, and there were scenes where he threw his body to block shots.
Nagatomo found the qualities of a team leader in Doan's attitude, which does not shy away from such unglamorous but decisively important defensive contributions, in addition to the glamorous results of goals. Nagatomo expressed Doan's dedicated behavior with the words, "He takes it all upon himself. " This short phrase condenses Doan's overwhelming technical skill and his extraordinary mental strength to use it all up for the team.
Usually, the number 10 is the ace who controls the team's attack, and their participation in defense is generally kept to a minimum. However, Doan overturned this common sense and voluntarily took on the most grueling labor despite his position as an ace. Nagatomo said the impact of this attitude on his teammates is immeasurable, pointing out that a star player discarding their ego to do dirty work creates a virtuous cycle where other players also try to fulfill their roles.
This is not merely praise; it affirms Doan's existence as a catalyst that triggers a chemical reaction within the team. Doan's playing style shows a new form of leadership in modern soccer. The attitude of an attacking player like him dedicating himself to defense not only boosts the morale of the entire team but also serves as a model, especially for young players.
The fact that Doan has the power to lift up other players while fulfilling his own role within the team will likely be an important element for the Japan national team moving forward. His attitude demonstrates how important "sacrifice for victory" is in soccer and is expected to encourage a similar consciousness in other players. Furthermore, Doan's dedicated play holds significant strategic meaning.
On a big stage like the World Cup, it is difficult to grasp victory with the abilities of individual players alone. By having everyone, like Doan, possess the consciousness to track back in defense, the team's overall defensive power improves, reducing the threat to the opponent. This allows the Japan national team to function as a stronger team and build a foundation for aiming for victory.
Nagatomo's words and Doan's actions will serve as important guidelines for upcoming matches and become elements that enhance team unity. Nagatomo's high praise for Ritsu Doan and Doan's playing style responding to it will likely serve as one guideline for the Japan national team's approach in the fight towards the FIFA World Cup 2026. It is extremely difficult to grasp victory with individual ability alone when facing world powerhouses.
However, if the attitude of not shying away from "individual sacrifice" as shown by Ritsu Doan permeates the entire team, the defensive power and tenacity as an organization should improve dramatically. Nagatomo's remarks suggest a historical turning point for the Japan national team. " This casts a stone against the flow of "technique supremacy" in Japanese soccer since the 1990s, suggesting the possibility that an era where the balance of "technique x dedication" holds the key to the team's strength is arriving.
Additionally, Ritsu Doan's playing style also serves as a pioneer role for the "Hybrid MF," which is attracting attention in the J-League and overseas leagues. Balancing attack and defense is a trend in modern soccer, yet few players can actually do it. As a symbolic figure, Doan provides a new role model for young players.
His play not only overturns the image of the "number 10" jersey but also reconfirms the importance of "team play," which is the essence of soccer. " Nagatomo further stated, regarding the direction the national team should aim for, "When star players take the lead in doing dirty work, the consciousness of the entire team changes," and spoke about how Doan's play has completely changed the team's atmosphere. What's next: Nagatomo's remarks and Doan's practice will serve as important indicators showing the tactical direction of the Japan national team moving forward.
Particularly in World Cup qualifiers and training matches, there will likely be an increase in scenes requiring defensive participation from attacking players. By sharing the consciousness of "dedication" across the entire team, the Japan national team may evolve into a stronger team with more diverse tactical options. Read at Soccer King
Why this matters
It vividly depicts "individual sacrifice and contribution to the team," the essence of team sports, through the words of key players on the national team. This is a valuable testimony conveying a culture of victory seen from the inside of the team, going beyond mere match results, and highlights an important theme in modern soccer: how star players discard their egos to take on dirty work for the team. Moreover, Nagatomo's remarks suggest a historical turning point for Japanese soccer, foreshadowing a transition from an era of technique supremacy to a new era of "technique x dedication."
Frequently asked
What aspect of Ritsu Doan did Yuto Nagatomo praise?
Nagatomo praised Doan's attitude of dedicating himself to defense and throwing his body on the line like a defender, even while wearing the attacking number 10. He acclaimed his contribution, saying, "He takes it all upon himself."
What event triggered these remarks?
Nagatomo's remarks are based on an episode from a players' meeting before the Tunisia match. Nagatomo spoke passionately about how the dedication of reserve players leads to victory, and Doan empathized with those words.
What significance does Ritsu Doan's playing style have in modern soccer?
Doan's play is a pioneer of the "Hybrid MF" that embodies both attack and defense, casting a stone against the flow of technique supremacy. He provides a new role model for young players.
You mentioned Nagatomo's remarks suggest a historical turning point for the Japan national team, but what specific change is this?
Nagatomo redefined the value of "sweating for the team" in addition to the technical skill and individual ability that the Japan national team has emphasized until now. There is a possibility that an era where the balance of "technique x dedication" holds the key to the team's strength is arriving.
What impact does Ritsu Doan's dedicated play have on the team's tactics?
Doan's play improves the team's overall defensive power and reduces the threat to the opponent. This allows the Japan national team to function as a stronger team and build a foundation for aiming for victory.
How did Nagatomo evaluate Ritsu Doan's play at the press conference?
Nagatomo stated, "His attitude will remain in the history of the Japan national team," emphasizing that when star players take the lead in doing dirty work, the consciousness of the entire team changes.
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