Japan national team defender Yuto Nagatomo spoke to the media ahead of the match against Brazil. During the interview, he shared the behind-the-scenes story of shouting "Mamma Mia" during a television interview after the third round of the group stage against Sweden.
In the match against Sweden, Nagatomo came on as a substitute in the 30th minute of the second half, achieving the milestone of becoming the first Asian player to feature in five consecutive World Cups. On the defensive end, he helped the team hold onto the 1-1 scoreline until the final whistle, successfully securing Japan's progression to the knockout stage. After the match, his repeated shouts of "Mamma Mia" in the television flash interview zone sparked widespread discussion.
Following the "Bravo!" from the Qatar World Cup, Nagatomo has once again created a new catchphrase. He explained with a wry smile: "Well, because we didn't win that match. So it wasn't shouted with the same explosive momentum as 'Bravo' last time, which is why it came out feeling like 'Mamma Mia'." He then revealed the behind-the-scenes details: “Ritsu Doan and Ko Itakura had asked me earlier, 'What are you going to say this time?' They gave me all kinds of suggestions, but nothing was actually finalized. I relied on the tension and adrenaline of the match, trusting whatever word popped into my head at that moment, and 'Mamma Mia' just slipped out.”
However, Nagatomo subsequently emphasized: “Although words are important, you must deliver on the pitch. I am fully prepared; as long as I step onto the field, I will completely shut down the opponent's wingers. I don't feel like we'll lose at all. While I now hold various records like playing in five World Cups, records are meant to be broken by younger generations one day. In comparison, I want to leave behind memorable achievements. I want to leave an impression in everyone's hearts that 'Nagatomo was in this Japanese team' and 'Nagatomo was a member of the championship-winning squad'.”
Immediately following this, Nagatomo passionately told the onsite media: “We are not a team whose journey will end in the Round of 32. That is absolutely impossible. I will definitely not stop here.”
He also made a request to the journalists: "Please be prepared to stay here as well. If you have already booked your return flights, please cancel all of them. You must go that far. I will absolutely not let you go back." Finally, he declared enthusiastically: “I will make this day a day that all of Japan will never forget. Beating a full-strength Brazil team at the World Cup—that is the concept. I will absolutely make this day—I promise you—a day that makes you feel genuinely fortunate to have dedicated yourselves to Japanese football.”
