YOKOHAMA (Japan): Despite being diminutive, Teruhito Nakagawa’s style of play has drawn comparisons with the game’s some of the top performers including Lionel Messi in the modern era.
15 goals plus 10 assists last season. The J.League’s 2019 Most Valuable Player, as well as joint-leading marksman.
An effective attacker, Nakagawa guided Yokohama F. Marinos to seal the domestic title last season.
Standing at 1.61m, Nakagawa dazzled spectators through his consistency in front of goal and penetrating forward forays.
“I usually watch those great players who play in the same position as me,” the 27-year-old told FIFA.com. “To name a few, players like [Lionel] Messi, [Mo] Salah, [Eden] Hazard and (Raheem) Sterling amaze me. I watch how they play, dribble past defenders and reach the best positions to shoot.
“And I like David Beckham. He was my idol when I was young. He had the confidence and aplomb to deliver the fatal strike when it mattered most. And he played in such an elegant way.”
Born in Kanagawa, Nakagawa cut his teeth with Senshu University in 2013, scoring 15 goals in the JUFA-Kanto Division I League. The same year saw him feature in Japan squad’s at the Summer Universiade Kazan, where they won bronze.
Just as Nakagawa was being hailed as one of the country’s hottest prospects, his career was dealt a severe blow. He suffered a serious knee injury in October 2014 and was forced to miss the remainder of the season.
Despite this setback, Yokohama proceeded to sign the young gun. The next couple of years saw Nakagawa work hard to restore his fitness and form of old. (Source: AFC)
