22 Facts About Kengo Nakamura

Kengo Nakamura is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Kengo Nakamura was named club captain for the first time in 2012, and in the same season lead the league in assists with 13.

In 2016, at the age of 36, Kengo Nakamura was named both J League MVP and Japanese Footballer of the Year, becoming the oldest recipient of either award.

In total, Kengo Nakamura earned 68 caps and scored 6 goals during an eight-year international career.

Kengo Nakamura was born in Kodaira, Tokyo and began playing football in the first grade, joining the Fuchu Boys' Soccer Club in nearby Fuchu.

Kengo Nakamura played in many tournaments during his youth career, including the 1989 All Japan Youth Soccer Tournament, where Fuchu reached the round of 16, and the 8th Tokyo Boys' Selection Soccer Tournament, where he was named as one of the ten best players.

Kengo Nakamura continued to play into his teens, and, after graduating from Kurume High School, he enrolled in Chuo University, studying English and American literature whilst playing for the university football team.

Kengo Nakamura graduated from Chuo in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in English.

Kengo Nakamura impressed and was signed to a professional contract in early 2003.

Kengo Nakamura made his first appearance on the opening day of the 2003 Division 2 season against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, coming on in the 88th minute to replace Takehito Shigehara.

Kengo Nakamura made 41 appearances and scored 5 times as he cemented himself as a regular starter and Frontale won the league and earned promotion back to the top flight for the first time since 2000.

Kengo Nakamura continued to hold down his starting place in central midfield, scoring 10 goals as the ambitious Frontale became serious challengers for their first ever First Division trophy.

Kengo Nakamura enjoyed his most prolific season as a playmaker yet, providing 11 assists and 4 goals, as well as being part of the team that reached the final of the 2009 Nabisco Cup, earning a big quarter final win over Kashima on the way to the final, where they were defeated by FC Tokyo.

Kengo Nakamura was injured during an AFC Champions League game against Seongnam Ilhwa on 23 February 2010, suffering a Mandibular fracture, casting doubt over his eligibility for selection in the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup; Kengo Nakamura was however able to make a speedy recovery and was named in Japan's squad, but only made one substitute appearance as Japan were knocked out in the round of 16.

At the start of the 2012 J1 season, Kengo Nakamura was named captain of Frontale for the first time ever, and arguably enjoyed his best season to date, scoring five goals and leading the league in assists with 13.

The 2014 and 2015 seasons were less successful for both club and individual, as Kengo Nakamura suffered an ankle injury which would require surgery and caused him to miss the end of the 2014 season.

At the beginning of the 2017 season, Kengo Nakamura gave up the captain's armband, with striker Yu Kobayashi chosen as his replacement.

Kengo Nakamura's efforts were finally rewarded at the end of the 2017 season, when, after 11 years of trying and three runner-up medals, Frontale won the J1 League for the first time in club history, finally beating longtime title rivals Kashima Antlers on goal difference on the final day of the season.

Frontale would become back to back champions the following year, with Kengo Nakamura featuring heavily with six goals and six assists.

Kengo Nakamura remained with Frontale after retirement, and currently works as the club's relations organiser while occasionally pitching in as a member of the coaching staff.

Kengo Nakamura began his career as a central box-to-box midfielder, but was converted to the role of a playmaker during his second season at Frontale under Takashi Sekizuka, a move he credited as a turning point in his career.

Kengo Nakamura was recognised as a highly efficient passer of the ball, regularly topping the J League for assists throughout his career, as well as being a consistent goal threat and an adept dribbler with determination and strength, despite his relatively small size.