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Interview with Yoichiro Kakitani (Tokushima Vortis) Part 2
Click here for the first part >> Expressing his true feelings “I became a tengu when I was told that it was amazing…”
Yoichiro Kakitani, who grew up in the lower organization of Cerezo Osaka since childhood, has always been the center of attention. His history with the Japanese national team began with the U-12 selection, and he was selected in each category without interruption. He signed a professional contract at the age of 16 as a true “Treasure of Cerezo”.
However, he experienced setbacks for the first time in the top team and transferred to Tokushima Vortis on a temporary basis. Leaving his beloved Cerezo was a turning point for Kakitani.
“If I can’t play here, it’s over,” he said. In Tokushima, he was supported by those around him, and he said he learned a lot. What is the goal that Kakitani, who turned 33, found when he returned to Tokushima again?
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Yoichiro Kakitani returns to Tokushima Vortis
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── When you were transferred to Tokushima Vortis on loan in 2009, I heard that you were greatly influenced by Kazuki Kuranuki, who was the captain of the team at the time (current FC Ryukyu manager).
“His passion for the game and his passion for practice was completely different from mine. In my case, I would come to practice just in time, and when it was over, I would quickly take a shower and go home, but Kazuki-san. When I was watching , I realized that ‘that’s no good’.
It’s up to you how you feel when you see someone act like that. When I thought about what I should do to change myself, I was grateful to have someone like Kazuki-san.”
── At that time, you were still young, around 20 years old, but now that you are 33 years old, do you think there is a different role to play here again?
“The manager has told me that I have to play as a role model, and I think I understand that. It’s not that I won’t do it, I’m trying various things, but I think it’s how much the team can rely on me in the game.
