Japanese national midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata to retire
4/7/2006 15:25
Japanese international midfielder and national superstar Hidetoshi Nakata
has said he will retire from professional soccer.
"I decided half a year ago
that I would retire from the world of professional soccer ... after the World
Cup in Germany," Nakata said in comments posted yesterday on his official Web
site.
"I will never again stand on the pitch as a professional player. But I
won't stop playing the game," he said.
The 29-year-old star's announcement
followed Japan's disastrous run in Germany, where Nakata made his third World
Cup appearance.
The Japanese side crashed out after a lackluster performance
against Australia, Croatia and defending champions Brazil in the group
round.
"I felt the Japanese team went into the tournament with great
potential," Nakata said. "But we didn't know how to put our talents out there,
100 percent."
Twice voted Asia's player of the year, Nakata gained superstar
status in Japan as a key playmaker for the national team, scoring 11 goals in 77
appearances. His flashy attire and cool demeanor also made him a media
darling.
Nakata joined English club Bolton in August last year from seven
years in Italy's Serie A, where he played with Roma, Parma, Bologna and
Fiorentina. He was the first Japanese football player to play for a major
European team.
Nakata's first stint was with Japanese team Bellmare Hiratsuka
in 1995-1998. Last year, he was honored with one of Italy's highest awards for
helping to promote Italy's image overseas.
xinhua
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