Biography
Shunsuke Nakamura, born on June 24, 1978, in Yokohama, is a former professional Japanese footballer. Now an assistant coach for the Japan national football team, Nakamura is often seen as one of Japan's greatest footballers. Known for his incredible technical skills, especially his famous free-kicks, he gained international fame and became a legendary figure in both Japanese and Scottish football.
Nakamura's professional journey started with Yokohama Marinos in 1997. Throughout his career, he played over twelve seasons with the club, totaling 338 league appearances. His early successes in Japan led to him winning the J.League Most Valuable Player award in 2000, and he became the only player to win it twice when he was honored again in 2013. Between his times at Marinos, Nakamura played in Europe, joining Spanish club Espanyol, Scottish club Celtic FC, and Italian team Reggina.
His four years at Celtic FC from 2005 to 2009 were the highlight of his European career. During this period, he was one of the most successful Asian players in European football history. He helped Celtic win three straight Scottish Premier League titles in 2006, 2007, and 2008, along with two Scottish League Cups in 2006 and 2009 and the Scottish Cup in 2007. He was the first Japanese player nominated for the Ballon d'Or in 2007 and was also named Scottish Player of the Year and SFWA Footballer of the Year that same year.
Internationally, Nakamura earned 98 caps for Japan and scored 24 goals. He played in two FIFA World Cups, in 2006 and 2010, and was key to Japan's AFC Asian Cup wins in 2000 and 2004, earning the Most Valuable Player award in 2004. He also played in the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship and the 2000 Summer Olympics. His left foot was so precise that Tottenham legend Steve Perryman famously said Nakamura "could open a tin of beans with his left foot," showing the remarkable accuracy that made him a top free-kick specialist.
Before Fame
Nakamura grew up in Yokohama and honed his football skills during Japan's rise to professional soccer after the J-League started in 1993. His formative years lined up with Japan stepping up its football infrastructure and adopting coaching styles from around the world. This setting gave young players like Nakamura more chances than ever to polish their skills and aim for professional careers.
Nakamura stood out when he joined the youth system at Yokohama Marinos and made his professional debut in 1997 at 19. His standout left foot and creative playmaking quickly set him apart, earning him major recognition in 2000. He helped Japan win the AFC Asian Cup and bagged his first J.League MVP award at the same time.
Key Achievements
- Won AFC Asian Cup with Japan in 2000 and 2004, earning MVP in 2004
- Only player to win J-League Most Valuable Player award twice (2000, 2013)
- Won three consecutive Scottish Premier League titles with Celtic (2006-2008)
- First Japanese player nominated for Ballon d'Or (2007)
- Named Scottish Player of the Year and SFWA Footballer of the Year in 2007
Did You Know?
- 01.He became the first Japanese player to score in the UEFA Champions League during his time at Celtic
- 02.Steve Perryman famously said Nakamura 'could open a tin of beans with his left foot' due to his exceptional accuracy
- 03.He is the only player in J-League history to win the Most Valuable Player award twice, in 2000 and 2013
- 04.During his Celtic career, he scored directly from corner kicks multiple times, a rare feat in professional football
- 05.He was nominated for the 2007 Ballon d'Or, becoming one of the few Asian players to receive this recognition