Matsuda the Japanese Football Star Dies After Training
Matsuda, one of Japan’s most famous footballers has died after suffering a heart attack in training.
Naoki Matsuda was only 34 and collapsed at the training centre of his football club, Matsumoto Yamaga, with a suspected heart attack.
The incident happened on Tuesday and he was rushed to hospital in an unconscious state and he never regained conciousness. His club confirmed that he had finally passed away on Thursday just after 13:00.
Matsuda was one of the stars of the Japanese 2002 World Cup team when Japan co-hosted the event. He won 40 caps for his country and he won Japanese league titles with Yokohama F-Marinos. He playing in defence for them in nearly 400 games during 15 years there.
Although Matsuda was in the twilight of his career he thoroughly enjoyed playing the game he loved and intended to go on as long as he could. He was unusually tall for a Japanese player, standing 6′ in height, giving him an edge in the penalty box.
Matsuda Tribute
Former teamate Shunsuke Nakamura told AFP that he couldn’t believe it.
“He was dynamic in every aspect and he was a kind of big brother for everyone in a positive sense.”
The death of one of their most famous players comes on the back of the Japanese women’s team winning the Women’s World Cup last month.
Photo: taishi
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