Celtic FC legend Shunsuke Nakamura is hoping to break the Japanese record for the oldest outfield player, or at least one of the oldest.
Only a few footballers play in the later thirties or early forties, as the years of training and family pressure gets to them – particularly English football or other elite football leagues in the world.
In English football, goalkeepers are the usual persons that play into their late thirties or early forties. Common figures that have done this are Shay Given, Brad Friedel, Mark Schwarzer. In Scotland, the intensity might not be as much as that of English football, but it is enough to stop many players from continuing in their ‘old’ age. Aboard, the lifespan of players are longer.
One of such players to keep at football at old age is Nakamura. The former Celtic midfielder moved to play in the J1 league with Jubilo Iwata. The player is approaching 39 years is still one of the top players in the top division of the Japanese League. He even wears the No 10 shirt and continue to net free kicks.
Nakamura moved to Scottish football giant Celtic in 2005 from Reggina. He netted 29 goals in 128 games for the club. He is famed for his free kick mastery, which made him one of the fans’ favourite at the club. When he left in 2009, many were sad to see him go. He moved to Espanyol to continue his footballing career.
The player moved to Japan, scoring 35 goals in 189 games for Yokohama Marinos before moving to his current club. He is one of the oldest outfield players and the former Hoops star seems keen on breaking the Japanese record for the oldest players.
Kazuyoshi Miura broke the world record to be the oldest professional footballer last year at the age of 49.