On Monday, December 25, we held a press conference on Yuki Otsu’s retirement.
――Please tell me a few words about Mr. Otsu.
Thank you for taking the time to talk to me today. Personally I still have a contract, but I have decided to retire from professional football at the end of this season.
–Why did you decide to retire?
First the injury. From the time I had my first surgery until my recovery, I was cared for by a wonderful doctor who I trusted and was able to get to the point where I could play on the field. However, I am not saying that I am 100% back to my previous state. One of the conditions to be able to play as an active player is to be able to give 100%, and honestly I think I can play at 60-70%, but that’s not true, I felt there was a lack of respect for other players, clubs, managers, fans and sponsors. I have always prioritized the “good of the team”, so when I confronted myself I felt I had to judge myself harshly too, so I decided to retire.
When I thought about the club and my situation, I decided to try something new if it didn’t help the team. I wasn’t worried about what I would do after I retired and I was confident that I could compete in the business world, so instead of quitting for that reason, I thought I was 100% valuable to the team as a player and as a person, it was a decision that I took it into consideration.
— Specifically, when did you decide to retire?
I made a decision based on my conditions and informed the club towards the end of the season. My salary at Jubilo is not low, so I told the club that I would like them to use it for the younger players and for the team rather than for me.
–When did you start thinking about enhancing your team?
When I entered the world of football, at 17, I played thinking only of myself. However, during my time in football, I have learned to appreciate what I can do for the team. I think it’s difficult to think like that as a young person, so even if there was a time when I didn’t realize it, I was aware of passing it on to the young players at the club as they played.
–Please tell us about your future prospects.
I’ve been running a business for about five years now and my mission is to maximize the value of sports and I want to give back to the sports that have helped me grow as a person. So I would like to not only expand the company, but also take on challenges in different business areas.
–What games have impressed you so far?
I remember when I won the title. It was the same when we got promoted to J1 with Jubilo, and it was the same when we won J1 with Marinos. I loved the atmosphere of the team when they won and the moments when you could really feel that the team was fighting as one.
–Do you have unfinished business as a footballer?
I feel like I left something to be desired by not being able to become Messi and Krylona (lol). My dream was to win the Ballon d’Or and, even if that dream didn’t come true, I sincerely believe that football has helped me grow as a person and I have had many wonderful experiences.
–What did you learn from your experience abroad?
What I felt most when I went abroad was that things seemed different. Things that were common in Japan were not common abroad, and I felt a huge difference in how things were viewed. My big goal was to go overseas and win the Ballon d’Or, but I got to play with better players than me and I got experience that I couldn’t get in Japan, so I think it was a great experience. I haven’t been able to do that in my experience, so I think players who are active overseas are really amazing.
――Is there anything that struck you in Jubilo?
I think it’s a great club, and it’s a great club with players, staff, fans and sponsors, and it’s a club that I think has potential, so I managed to come here, and if you just look at the period, maybe it will be short, but I was able to spend three intense years there. There are too many memories to list, but what sticks in my memory is the atmosphere of the team when we won the title.
–Young people have been active this year, what do you expect from them?
The level of football has increased enormously and there is no doubt that the younger generation are an essential part of the team, so I hope they play with all their strength and it would be fantastic to support them and show their support. he is a great player, so I would like him to appreciate that relationship to create a strong Jubilo team that can compete in J1.
――What do you want to convey to Kashiwa Reysol and Yokohama F. Marinos, of which you were a member?
Reysol is the club that enthusiastically invited me when I graduated from high school and taught me from the beginning what it means to be a footballer. Going from high school to professional was a good turning point, but it gave me the opportunity to go abroad. I think Reysol is the one that gave it to me, and it’s my favorite club because it helped me grow.
I played in Kashiwa for six and a half years and, to be honest, Kashiwa became my home, so I moved to take on a new challenge, but also Marinos is a club that really values the team, so I think we they became more aware of competing as a team. I think my experience in Marinos also had a great influence on me as a person.
–Finally, please give a message to your supporters.
Thank you for the last three years. When I arrived in this city, I was struck by the warmth of the people and I could feel the atmosphere of the city that supported Jubilo, and I thought it was a wonderful city. After playing for three years, my attachment to the club became stronger and I learned to love the fans too. To create a strong Jubilo team that will compete in J1 in the future, we will definitely need the support of our supporters. I want all our supporters to help us grow into a club capable of winning the J1 title, so please continue to support the players and the club.
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