Japan: Hidetoshi Nakata
Hidetoshi Nakata broke down the barriers for Japanese players in Europe, but at this World Cup he must prove himself all over again.
Often shy and elusive off the pitch, Nakata made an immediate impact on his 1998 overseas debut for Serie A side Perugia by netting twice against then-champions Juventus.
He then joined Roma, but an eye-catching €30million switch to Parma last summer has to date proven a spectacular failure.
Twice winner of the Asian footballer of the year award, Nakata remains the midfield linchpin of the national side.
Frequently compared to David Beckham, in footballing style and public stature, Nakata is both a ball-winner and sublime technician.
Often appearing to glide across the pitch, Nakata is both provider and goalscorer.
In the Confederations Cup semi-final against Australia earlier in the year, his bullet free-kick carried the side to the final against France.
Born in 1977, Nakata has represented his country since the age of 15.
At 19, Nakata was the youngest player in the Olympic side which beat Brazil 1-0 in Atlanta.
A member of the ill-fated team which slipped to three straight defeats and scored just one goal at France 98, Nakata was blunt about the gulf in ability between the top sides.
‘‘Our team lacked the ability to score when we had the chance and that’s the reason we didn’t win,’’ he said then.
Strong words in the conformist circles of Japanese football, but Nakata is well-known for his individualist streak.
Speaking before his move to Perugia, Nakata shunned the media attention with typical aplomb.
‘‘I’m doing this for myself. It annoys me when I’m seen as a flag-bearer,’’ he said.
‘‘When I was in Japan, I just thought about playing and nothing else. I didn’t want to be anybody’s idol.’’
After two stellar seasons with Perugia, Nakata moved to link up with Gabriel Batistuta at Roma in 2000.
However, local darling Francesco Totti kept Nakata on the bench for a large extent of the season, prompting the Parma move.
But with Parma languishing around the relegation zone, Nakata has become the target for criticism after struggling to find form.
In a recent television poll, 65% of Parma fans said they were unhappy with Nakata’s performances and suggested he should stay on the bench.
The bench is one place Nakata is unlikely to find himself come the summer.
While Japan’s other footballing exports struggle to make their mark, Nakata has proven that at least by his country’s standards he is peerless.
