β½π―π΅ May 16, 2026 β The 26 members of Japanβs national team are finally announced! A fateful day filled with tears, surprise, and regret…ππ’ Director Moriyasu stands in front of the microphone and opens the envelope. His voice choked up as he read out the players’ names over and over again, and his eyes were moist. π β
The chosen ones are first the goalkeeper, then the defense… Among them, there is a shocking name β DF Yuto Nagatomo (39 years old / FC Tokyo) First in Asian history to participate in five consecutive World Cups π―π΅β¨ South Africa β Brazil β Russia β Qatar β then North and Central America. It’s already legendary territory. Another page to the culmination of his career… π π Aces who were not selected On the other hand… MF Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton)’s name is not mentioned. Not able to return from injury in time…π―π΅π MF Takumi Minamino (Monaco) was also not selected due to injury. He’s a talented player who should definitely have been included… but it’s frustrating π’ And another shocking player was not selected… MF Hidemasa Morita (Sporting / CL Top 8!) A fighter for the Qatar World Cup, he was the center of the midfield in the final Asian qualifying round. However, his name was never called until the end… The moment fans all over the world wondered, “Why!?” π€―π―π΅ — ποΈ Sergio Echigo’s “harsh comment” π€π₯ Although he dismissed it as “no surprise”… π£οΈ “It’s not Nagatomo’s fault, but if he’s just a mental support, he should accompany him as a staff member. Even if he chooses, if he’s off the bench, it’s the same as a club activity.” ποΈββοΈ “Morita has a strong defense and can be an accent to the attack. He could have been a key player in the midfield along with Kamata… What a waste!” Furthermore, regarding Morita’s past statement “I want to express my opinions from the outside (bench) more” as a criticism of the coach… π£οΈ “Overseas, it’s natural for top players to express their opinions. It’s the coach’s job to summarize them.” ππ — π§ Anxiety about the attack & new strength The impact of not having Mitoma and Minamino is too big… βͺοΈ The dribbling breakthrough on the left side disappears βͺοΈ The sense of smell in front of the goal & reaction to spilled balls is down βͺοΈ It becomes easier for the opponent to concentrate their defense in the center π¨ But! There are also new weapons β‘ β
Height and physicality in set plays β
Speed ββof defensive transitions β
Takefusa Kubo’s creativity, Daizen Maeda’s speed, Takuma Asano’s sneaky ability…we can still fight π₯ — 𧣠Fans are divided into two groups: “#Morita in” is trending on SNS π€³π¬ On the other hand, some say “I believe in Coach Moriyasu.” No one can give a true evaluation until the tournament begins. — π€ Finally, this is the last World Cup for Nagatomo. If he continues to play off the bench, there will be a debate over how to use him. Still, his pitch at the age of 39 is impressive in and of itself. Morita, Mitoma, and Minamino’s regrets will surely change the team. The 26 people chosen will fight with pride and responsibility in their hearts. Both encouragement and criticism will eventually make the team stronger. π―π΅β History moves this summer. The curtain is about to open…β½π₯π — If necessary, you can adjust this description to make it shorter (for Instagram) or more emotional (more crying emojis). Please let me know.
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