Twelve months after officially hanging up his boots at the age of 44, Shunsuke Nakamura will take part in a farewell match in Japan to celebrate his incredible playing career.
Hosted by Yokohama FC, where Nakamura is now the head coach of the team, the game will take place at NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Stadium and will see Yokohama FC Friends team play against J-Dreams team.
Nakamura’s career began at Yokohama F. Marino in 1997 and saw spells in Italy, Spain and at home in Japan, as well as four years at Celtic, during which he scored 33 goals and made 166 appearances. three league titles, two league cups and a Scottish cup.
He also played 98 times for the Japanese national team and scored 24 goals. He ended his playing career with Yokohama FC last year and ended up having a remarkable 25-year career.
And while everyone at Celtic sends their best regards to Naka, here’s a chance to enjoy a special tribute video and remember Naka’s five spells in green and white.
FIVE MAGICAL NAKED MOMENTS
UEFA Champions League
November 21, 2006
Celtic 1-0 Manchester United
Everyone remembers the moment and the game when the Hoops beat Manchester United 1-0 to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. The winning goal came with just nine minutes remaining when Shunsuke Nakamura curled a perfect free kick into the right channel from 30 yards as the ball rose into the top left corner of Edwin van der Sar’s net. There was also drama later when Artur Boruc saved Louis Saha’s penalty and gave Celtic the win. It was Naka’s second goal against Manchester United this season as he scored another stunning free-kick in the 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford.
Scottish Premier League
October 14, 2006
Dundee United 1:4 Celtic
Celtic found themselves behind through Noel Hunt’s goal after five minutes and it took a minute before the break for Nakamura to equalize from close range. And just two minutes after the break, the Japanese striker put Celtic in front of the far post with another goal from close range. But he saved his best for last. After Jan Vennegoor made it 3-1 for Hesselink, Nakamura completed his hat-trick just before the hour mark when he linked up with Jiri Jarosik and headed the ball past the keeper from the edge of the area. Naka also scored another hat-trick for the Hoops. That happened on 28 February 2009 when he scored three Celtic goals in a 7–0 home win over St Mirren.
Scottish Premier League
December 26, 2006
Celtic 2:2 Dundee United
After 78 minutes at Celtic Park on Boxing Day, the Hoops went down 2-0 to Dundee United to start the festive season with a defeat. Then Nakamura stepped up and changed the game. First he curled home a free kick from the right which Darren O’Dea headed home and then just two minutes later he scored the equalizer which was voted Goal of the Season at the end of the campaign. Evander Sno floated the ball forward to Derek Riordan who padded towards Naka and produced a sublime chip from the left side of the area to lift the ball over the Dundee United keeper and into the net. It was an amazing moment of glory!
Scottish Premier League
April 22, 2007
Kilmarnock 1:2 Celtic
With just five league games remaining, Celtic traveled to Rugby Park knowing a win would retain the league title. The Celtic fans gathered at the stadium began to celebrate when Hesselink’s Jan Vennegoor opened the scoring in the 24th minute. Kilmarnock equalized 10 minutes into the second half and the game was level when Nakamura won a free-kick from 25 yards out. The Japanese manager wiped himself, stepped up and fired an unstoppable shot into the net… Celtic were champions! It was one of eight goals scored for Naka Kill, six of which were free kicks!
Scottish Premier League
April 16, 2008
Celtic 2:1 Rangers
2007/08. In the 2018 Championship, Celtic found themselves seven points off the top of the table with seven matches remaining and having played one game more than title rivals Rangers. It meant Gordon Strachan’s side had to win all seven games, including both Glasgow derbies, and hope their rivals slipped away. After beating Motherwell, the Hoops hosted Rangers and Shunsuke Nakamura opened the scoring in the 20th minute when he controlled Gary Caldwell’s pass in the middle of the park before unleashing a 40-yard shot that deflected past Allan McGregor. Despite Rangers’ draw, Hesselink’s Vennegoor scored a last-minute winner to keep Celtic’s title hopes alive. The Rings went on to win the league and the Dutch striker scored a winner at Tannadice on the night Tommy Burns, who sadly departed just days before, won the title.