Nakamura, Shunsuke

Autor: Nakamura, Shunsuke
Rok: 1978-

Biogr./Hist. údaje: Japonský fotbalista.
Zdroj: Autoritní databáze Národní knihovny ČR

Shunsuke Nakamura (中村 俊輔, Nakamura Shunsuke, born 24 June 1978) is a retired Japanese professional footballer, the last squad from attacking midfielder for Yokohama F. Marinos in J. League Division 1. He is the first and only player to have been twice named J. League Most Valuable Player, receiving the award in 2000 and 2013. He is well known for his vision, touch, and free kick-taking abilities; Steve Perryman once remarked that Nakamura "could open a tin of beans with his left foot".His former clubs include Espanyol, Celtic, and Reggina. During his time at Celtic, he became one of the best Asian players to have ever played in Europe; he was nominated for the 2007 Ballon d'Or, was named Scottish Player of the Year and SFWA Footballer of the Year in 2007, and became the first Japanese player to score in the UEFA Champions League. His team accomplishments at Celtic include winning the Scottish Premier League in 2006, 2007, and 2008, the Scottish League Cup in 2006 and 2009, and the Scottish Cup in 2007.Nakamura has 98 caps and 24 goals for the Japanese national football team, including appearances in the FIFA World Cup finals in 2006 and 2010 and winning the AFC Asian Cup in 2000 and 2004; he was named Most Valuable Player in the 2004 competition. He also appeared in the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship as a member of the Japanese Under-20 team and the 2000 Summer Olympics as a member of the Japanese Under-23 team.Asteroid 29986 Shunsuke is also named in his honour.