NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Traveling with the Japan team knowing he will get no time on the pitch at this summer's World Cup, Takumi Minamino is playing an unorthodox role in his country's bid for their best-ever finish.
One of Hajime Moriyasu's longest-serving players during his eight-year tenure, the recovering Monaco star chose to take up a mentor position for the Samurai Blue after he was left out of the manager's 26-man squad.
A ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee has kept him out of match action since December, but the 31-year-old was at the fore as his teammates jogged around Geodis Park during their first training session in Nashville on Monday.
"Before anything I'm happy I could join this group," the attacker said. "Lots of people helped me get here and I'm hoping to give my maximum support to the team by offering my personal experience and coming up with my own approach."
The former Salzburg and Liverpool man was given the No. 10 shirt at the last World Cup in 2022 but was limited to three substitute appearances in Qatar, where he missed Japan's first penalty in the shootout of a round-of-16 loss to Croatia.
He subsequently forced his way back into Moriyasu's regular starters and was nailed on to make his second World Cup until his injury dealt a huge blow to the player and Japan's aspiration to reach the last eight for the first time.
"As expected, the first few weeks were tough. Injuries are part and parcel of being an athlete, but the timing of it and, of course, there was that emotion I had for this World Cup (after the last one)," Minamino said.
"I've seen so many players who have gone through this and that shows how I should get over it and be stronger."
His arrival excited his teammates, with Daichi Kamada calling him a "big brother figure" who "lights up the place," and veteran Yuto Nagatomo saying he was "lifted" after "instantly feeling the strength of his character."
Putting aside his frustration, Minamino declared he is fully committed to the cause.
"I can really say there were lots of emotions and inner conflicts before getting here," he said. "But I'm here 100 percent for the team."
"I believe now is the time to step up a level in our preparations as a team ahead of the finals, and I want to give something back to them in this tense atmosphere."
