Nagatomo risks Inter place to show support for Japan
"It is not that I don't have any worry but there is something more important than myself," the 24-year-old told reporters as he arrived in Osaka for the 29 March match there pitting the national team against a J-League select.
Nagatomo moved to Inter from Cesena after Japan won a record fourth AFC Asian Cup in January. He has since been in and out of the Inter line-up as the FIFA Club World Cup champions try to overtake Serie-A leaders AC Milan. "I have not come here just to play a match. I want to show how important it is not to give up. We must help many people gain courage and hope," the full-back saud.
European clubs have released 12 Japanese players for the charity event, a replacement for a friendly against New Zealand which was cancelled after the earthquake and tsunami disaster and the subsequent of nuclear emergency.
Nagatomo said all of his club were behind Japan in the nation's struggle to overcome the tragic 11 March disaster which has left more than 22,000 dead or missing on Japan's Pacific coast.
It is not that I don't have any worry but there is something more important than myself.
Inter Milan's Yuto Nagatomo on risking his club place to play in a Japanese chairty game
"Everybody has cared about Japan. Everybody has been cooperative," the hard-running player said, showing a football shirt autographed by Inter manager Leonardo and teammates. "I want to use it for charity."
The former FC Tokyo left back was seen carrying a red-sun Japanese flag, reading "You'll never walk alone", with teammates on the pitch after Inter beat Bayern Munich 3-2 on 15 March to reach the UEFA Champions League last eight.
I can't see this causing him to lose his place in the Inter side as he is a quality young player and he has proved his loyalty & passion not only for his home country but also to Inter as a club and for this i think he should be applauded not punished
Japan captain Makoto Hasebe also returned home, taking a timeout from his midfield duties for Wolfsburg. He said the Blue Samurai managed to book a historic last-16 berth at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa last year and regain the Asian Cup due to support from home fans.
"I will play all-out and make them feel something, although it may not be enough to repay them for their support," said the 27-year-old. "The news of the disaster has been reported as the top news in Germany every day," he said. "I was feeling impatient as I could do nothing there. I wanted to come home as soon as possible to do something for Japan."
The European-based players in Alberto Zaccheroni's squad also include CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda and Schalke defender Atsuto Uchida.
Pazzini: First months with Inter Milan best time of my life
The 26-year-old Italy international scored the winner against Lecce on Sunday and helped Inter close the gap with League leader's Milan to just two points.
Pazzini said: “A lot of things have happened in two months: I have tasted the most beautiful moment of my career and I hope to win something quickly.
“We have done something extraordinary making up so many points on Milan and now we can fight until the end for the Scudetto."
I always like seeing our players showing their loyalty to Inter and i can see Pazzini being an important player for us for some time to come.
Inter keen on Alexis Sanchez
This is one transfer rumour that just doesn't seem to be going away and it's looking likely the starlet will be signed in the summer, which of course means that the rumours of Carlos Tevez coming to Inter are looking less likely as we have got more than our fair share of quality strikers in our squad if Sanchez signs, though if the reports that Milito will be leaving in the summer are true then who knows maybe we'll end up with both of them, you never know stranger things have happened at Inter!
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia Moratti said: “Alexis Sanchez really is a fantastic player. That was already clear to see a few years ago. Udinese have done a very good job to help him develop into an even better player. That will be very important for them both from an economic and sporting point of view. He's the type of player that makes you dream.”
Alexis Sanchez has been key in Udinese’s push for the Champions League and along with Antonio Di Natale has been instrumental in helping Francesco Guidolin's team remain unbeaten in 13 matches. The 22 year old has been linked with Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea and Inter but it has been rumoured that the Chilean would like to stay in Italy and if so the Nerazzurri would certainly be strong favourites for his signature.
Marco Branca, Inter’s Sporting Director, has made in no secret of his desire to bring Sanchez to the club and it is believed that he will be the number one transfer target for the Nerazzurri this summer.
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