Retiring from football at the age of 29 is not a usual sight for a professional player unless there are extenuating circumstances; however, for one Premier League cult hero, they decided to stop playing the sport at the highest level after the World Cup.
To leave on a high is always the dream of a professional athlete, and this is exactly how this cult hero left the game, at the top of his game and with fans wanting more.
Sam Allardyce was disappointed, but not surprised, about the decision of his star in 2006 to opt to retire after the World Cup that took place in Germany.
Hidetoshi Nakata announced his retirement after Japan’s campaign in the World Cup, one that will not be remembered as a vintage campaign for the Asian nation, as they finished bottom of their group behind Brazil, Australia and Croatia.
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The midfielder spent the last season of his club career on loan at Bolton Wanderers under Allardyce from Fiorentina.
Nakata was twice named Asian Player of the Year and spent the majority of his senior career in Italy but made a brief detour to the northwest of England to play for the Trotters in the final season of his career.
He would become a fan favourite for Bolton during his time at the club as he helped them to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League and an important part of their European campaign as they reached the round of 32 in the UEFA Cup.
While he will fondly be remembered in Bolton, it is not the only place he will have a special place in fans' hearts, as he was part of the Roma squad that won Serie A in 2001 and the Parma side that won the Coppa Italia in 2002.
Allardyce expressed his feelings to Sky Sports upon the news of Nakata’s decision to retire.
The former Bolton manager said: “The news isn't a surprise as far as I am concerned.
"Hide has had the time to think about his future and has decided that the best outcome is for him to hang up his boots.
"He's had a glittering career and has achieved plenty in the domestic game.
"He will be remembered as the catalyst of Asian and Japanese football and also the first Japanese export to European football.
"It was a privilege to work with him last season."
The ability of the player may not be well known by younger fans today, but it is key to mention that in 2004 Nakata was named in the FIFA 100, Pele's list of the 100 greatest living players.
His influence off the pitch was also significant; a year later he was awarded one of Italy's highest honours, the Knight of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity, for helping to promote the country's image overseas.
So, it may be surprising that in 2006 Nakata took this retirement decision.
In a statement at the time he said: “I decided half a year ago that I would retire from the world of professional soccer after the World Cup in Germany.
"I will never go out onto the pitch again as a professional football player, but I will never give up football."
Topics: Football, Premier League, Bolton Wanderers, Sam Allardyce
Brendan McGilligan