Yūto Nagatomo
Who was Yūto Nagatomo?
Japanese left-back who played for Inter Milan and Galatasaray during a successful European career. He earned over 150 caps for Japan, making him one of their most capped players.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Yūto Nagatomo (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Yūto Nagatomo (長友 佑都, Nagatomo Yūto; born September 12, 1986) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a full-back for J1 League club FC Tokyo and the Japan national team. Born in Saijō-shi, Nagatomo graduated from Meiji University and started his professional career with FC Tokyo in 2007. He quickly became a key player for both the team and the Japan national team, earning his first international cap in 2008, just months after his professional debut.
Nagatomo's European journey began in 2010 when he joined Cesena in Serie A. He had his most successful club period during his seven years with Inter Milan, making over 200 appearances and briefly serving as team captain. During his time with Inter, he won the Coppa Italia in 2011 and became a mainstay in the club's defense. After leaving Milan, he joined Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray, winning two consecutive Turkish titles in 2018 and 2019, as well as the Turkish Cup and Turkish Super Cup in 2019.
After his stint in Turkey, Nagatomo had a short time with Olympique Marseille before returning to his original club FC Tokyo in September 2021. Throughout his club career, he also won a J.League Cup in 2009 with Tokyo and was named AFC's Asian International Player of the Year in 2013. His consistent performances at both the club and international levels have made him one of Japan's most respected footballers.
With 144 caps and four goals for the Japan national team, Nagatomo is the country's second-most capped player, just behind Yasuhito Endō. His international career spans over a decade, including four consecutive World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022), three Asian Cups (2011, 2015, and 2019), one Confederations Cup (2013), and the 2008 Olympic Games. He was part of the winning team at the 2011 Asian Cup and finished as a runner-up in the 2019 edition. Nagatomo is married to Airi Taira and continues to play for Japan at the highest levels of international football.
Before Fame
Born in Saijō-shi, Yūto Nagatomo studied at Meiji University while honing his football skills. His route into professional football was not the usual one, as he juggled academics with his passion for the sport. Attending a top university in Japan gave him a strong base for his future career.
Nagatomo rose to prominence as Japanese football was starting to get noticed worldwide, especially after the J-League was established in the 1990s and Japan co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Graduating from Meiji University in 2007, he began his professional career with FC Tokyo. There, he quickly showed the technical skills and work ethic that would help him succeed in European football.
Key Achievements
- Winner of 2011 AFC Asian Cup with Japan national team
- AFC Asian International Player of the Year 2013
- Two-time Turkish Süper Lig champion with Galatasaray (2018, 2019)
- Coppa Italia winner with Inter Milan (2011)
- 144 caps for Japan national team, second-most in country's history
Did You Know?
- 01.He briefly served as captain of Inter Milan during his seven-year tenure with the Italian club
- 02.His 144 international caps make him Japan's second-most capped player, trailing only Yasuhito Endō
- 03.He participated in four consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments from 2010 to 2022
- 04.Won back-to-back Turkish league titles with Galatasaray in 2018 and 2019
- 05.Made his Japan national team debut in 2008, the same year he started his professional career with FC Tokyo