Yuto Nagatomo's Beauty & Wellness Habits | Diet, Yoga & Fitness

“Bravo!” With his powerful celebrations and infectious smile, Yuto Nagatomo has been one of the most recognisable figures in Japanese football for many years. Even after turning 40 in 2026, he continues to embrace new challenges.

Nagatomo has played for prestigious European clubs, including Inter Milan in Italy, as well as teams in Turkey and France. He also achieved the remarkable milestone of appearing in five consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments for Japan. His exceptional stamina, persistent defending and energetic playing style have allowed him to compete against some of the world's finest footballers.

Behind those achievements lies a long-standing fascination with physical conditioning. Lower-back problems during university prompted him to take core training seriously. After experiencing shoulder injuries overseas, he incorporated yoga into his routine. Over the years, his interests expanded to include pre-match meditation, nutritional planning with a personal chef and medical specialists, sleep, rest and gut health.

His dietary habits reveal another intriguing side of his personality. Nagatomo once had a sweet tooth, and one of the foods he chose while reviewing his eating habits was manuka honey, a well-known New Zealand speciality. He also visited farms to learn about organic vegetables, carried nuts and 99% dark chocolate on trips, and later became interested in plant-based protein and fish-based foods.

In interviews, he has also discussed nutritional supplements and specific ingredients, including BCAAs, glutamine, creatine and HMB. Exploring the choices he has made over the years offers an interesting glimpse into how seriously he approaches his daily preparations as a professional athlete.

Away from football, Nagatomo is married to Japanese actress and television personality Airi Taira, and they are raising four sons. The family has lived in Italy, Turkey and France. Their shared enjoyment of exercise, home cooking and lively family meals reveals a warm, approachable side of the internationally experienced footballer.

In this article, we explore Yuto Nagatomo's career, personality and wellness habits in depth, including core training, yoga, nutrition, protein, supplements, sleep, recovery and family life. Along the way, his personal stories provide a fascinating look at the experiences behind his remarkable football career.

1. Yuto Nagatomo's Career and Approach to Wellness: Four Decades of Determination

Yuto Nagatomo was born on 12 September 1986 in Ehime Prefecture, Japan. After attending Higashi Fukuoka High School and Meiji University, he began his professional career with FC Tokyo in 2008.

His main position is full-back, a demanding role that involves defending against opposing attacks while moving forward to support his team's offensive play. Nagatomo quickly attracted attention for his extraordinary stamina, quick movement and determination in one-on-one defensive situations.

In 2010, he moved to Italy to join Cesena, before signing for the prestigious Inter Milan in 2011. He spent many years competing alongside and against international stars. He subsequently played for Galatasaray in Turkey and Marseille in France before returning to FC Tokyo in 2021.

His international career has been equally impressive. Nagatomo represented Japan at five consecutive World Cups: South Africa in 2010, Brazil in 2014, Russia in 2018, Qatar in 2022 and the 2026 tournament in North America.

In June 2026, he came on as a second-half substitute against Sweden, becoming the first Japanese player to appear in five consecutive World Cups. At 39, he also reached a Japanese-record total of 16 World Cup match appearances.

After the match, Nagatomo celebrated by exclaiming the Italian phrase “Mamma mia!” It was a joyful moment that reflected both his excitement and his affection for the country where he had spent so much of his playing career.

His journey to the world's biggest football stages included several difficult periods. As a youngster, his enthusiasm for football temporarily faded. At university, lower-back problems kept him away from competitive matches. Later, playing overseas brought new challenges involving stronger opponents, injuries and changes in his daily diet.

These experiences encouraged Nagatomo to develop a deeper understanding of his own body.

At 170 centimetres tall, how could he compete effectively against much larger opponents? How could he improve his stability and flexibility alongside muscular strength? What should he eat while living abroad, and how should he balance training with rest?

Rather than ignoring these questions, Nagatomo gradually turned them into opportunities to learn.

In August 2026, following the World Cup, he decided to continue playing for FC Tokyo. His ambition to win a title with the club remained strong, and he approached the next stage of his career with renewed determination.

However, on 12 September, his 40th birthday, Nagatomo injured his right knee during a match against Gamba Osaka. On 21 September, FC Tokyo announced that he had sustained an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee.

He later recalled experiencing pain early in the match but continuing to play throughout the first half. Hearing the diagnosis after medical examinations the following day came as a surprise. Nevertheless, he expressed his determination to return to the pitch on social media.

At an event on 22 October, he again spoke passionately about football. While discussing his rehabilitation, he shared his ambitions of winning a title with FC Tokyo and pursuing further opportunities at international level.

His willingness to embrace another challenge at 40 reflects the same curiosity, determination and commitment to learning that have shaped his approach to physical conditioning since university.

2. The Origins of His Core Training: From University Back Problems to International Football

Learning to Stabilise His Body at Meiji University

Core training has become one of the habits most closely associated with Yuto Nagatomo. Its origins can be traced back to his university years.

While studying at Meiji University, he experienced lower-back problems, including lumbar spondylolysis and a herniated disc. These conditions prevented him from playing football as freely as he wanted.

Nagatomo had already been enthusiastic about strength training during high school, dedicating himself to exercises for his abdominal and back muscles. His experiences at university, however, taught him that maintaining stability during competition also requires coordination throughout the body.

At Meiji University, trainer Takaomi Shibata helped him understand how concentrating on different muscles could change the way his body moved, even when performing familiar exercises.

Before beginning his professional career, Nagatomo also met core-training specialist Katsumi Koba, who helped him develop a more systematic approach.

Koba later recalled that Nagatomo had already developed considerable muscular strength, while the muscles supporting his body from within and his flexibility deserved further attention.

Nagatomo consequently began practising exercises designed to stabilise his torso while moving his arms and legs and maintaining correct posture.

Football requires players to run while making physical contact, change direction suddenly and control the ball while balancing on one leg. Nagatomo focused on these movements as he developed a clearer sense of how to control his body.

When facing taller and stronger players, he learned to keep his centre of gravity low and adjust his position in response to an opponent's movements. These details became important features of the way he approached physical conditioning.

Training on Hachijojima Island and Developing His Technique in Europe

Ahead of the 2010 World Cup, Nagatomo and Koba travelled to Hachijojima Island for a two-night, three-day training camp. Their activities included uphill sprinting, using the island's natural terrain as part of his preparation.

It was an important period for Nagatomo as he prepared to face international opponents at his first World Cup.

After joining Inter Milan, he continued refining his physical technique through daily competition with internationally recognised players.

European football features athletes with impressive height, strength and speed. Through countless encounters, Nagatomo developed his positioning, anticipation and timing, using these abilities alongside his physical training.

In 2025, his defensive play against 192-centimetre-tall Henry Heroki Mochizuki attracted attention. Despite the significant difference in height, Nagatomo closed down the space quickly, used his body intelligently and challenged for possession.

The situation illustrated the judgement and practical experience he had developed throughout his career.

As a younger player, Nagatomo focused intensely on building strength. His experiences abroad encouraged him to develop his understanding of an opponent's movements and choose the right moment to use his own body.

What began as core training during university gradually became a long-term interest in movement, balance and positioning on the football pitch.

3. Yoga, Meditation and Breathing: A Wellness Habit Inspired by His Mother

Discovering That Yoga Was More Challenging Than He Expected

Alongside core training, yoga has played an important role in Nagatomo's fitness routine.

He began practising yoga in 2014 after experiencing repeated dislocations of his right shoulder and becoming concerned about muscular stiffness. It was his mother who encouraged him to try it.

Having spent years developing his strength, Nagatomo initially assumed that yoga poses would be relatively easy.

When he tried them, however, he discovered that his body was much stiffer than expected. Even some basic positions proved surprisingly challenging.

For a professional footballer accustomed to competing physically against world-class players, struggling with simple yoga poses was an eye-opening experience.

It encouraged him to consider physical conditioning from a different perspective.

In a 2016 interview, Nagatomo explained that he had already been practising yoga regularly for approximately two years.

He incorporated yoga poses before and after training sessions at Inter Milan, paying closer attention to flexibility and the sensations associated with different movements.

He said at the time that he felt greater suppleness in his body and had noticed differences in his experiences with injuries since beginning yoga. These were his personal observations about his own training routine.

Nagatomo continued strength training while also making time to stretch and concentrate on his breathing. The combination became part of his daily preparation.

In December 2016, he published a book introducing his yoga practice, titled Yuto Nagatomo's Yoga-tomo (長友佑都のヨガ友). Sharing what he had learned with a wider audience reflected his enthusiasm for exploring and discussing physical conditioning.

From Yoga to Meditation and Mental Preparation Before Matches

His interest in yoga gradually led Nagatomo to explore breathing techniques and meditation.

During his time at Inter Milan, he practised meditation before matches and at bedtime, alongside the physical conditioning activities he performed around training sessions.

Competition at a prestigious European club is intense. World-class players compete for the same positions, and selection for each match depends on the coach's decisions.

Nagatomo has recalled experiencing anxiety in that environment and sometimes feeling that his thoughts influenced his performances.

Through meditation, he began placing greater emphasis on the preparations he could make each day, rather than concentrating entirely on whether he would be selected for a particular match.

His approach to visualisation was especially interesting.

Before a game, Nagatomo imagined successful plays, but he also considered situations in which he might make a mistake.

How should he react if an opponent got past him? What would he do if his team conceded a goal? By thinking through these possibilities in advance, he prepared himself mentally for different situations on the pitch.

Football matches regularly produce unexpected developments. Nagatomo made mental preparation part of his routine so that he could approach those situations with greater composure.

A practice that began with an interest in flexibility had gradually become part of the way he considered breathing, concentration and his emotional state.

4. Transforming His Diet: Life in Italy and Collaboration with Nutrition Specialists

From Home-Cooked Meals to the Fat-Adapted Dietary Approach

Of all Nagatomo's wellness habits, his approach to food has undergone some of the most significant changes.

When he first moved to Italy, he began eating out more frequently and later recalled experiencing periods when he felt unwell.

Although he was already dedicated to training and caring for his body, he realised that his everyday eating habits also deserved closer attention.

His sister began helping him with cooking, allowing him to make home-prepared meals a more regular part of his lifestyle.

As Nagatomo studied nutrition, he also experimented with significantly reducing his carbohydrate intake. During demanding training and matches, however, he sometimes felt that he lacked sufficient energy, prompting him to reconsider the quantity and balance of his meals.

He later explained that he had noticed changes in his mental state and his explosiveness on the football pitch during that period.

It was around this stage that he met chef Tatsuya Kato, who would become closely involved in planning his meals.

Kato had taken an interest in the dietary habits Nagatomo discussed on social media. After making contact, the chef became involved in helping him reconsider his approach to nutrition.

Together, they worked on adjusting carbohydrate intake to suit Nagatomo's circumstances and physical responses.

One of their approaches involved measuring blood glucose before and after meals and recording the results. By comparing what he ate with the measurements, Nagatomo could explore which combinations suited him.

The work subsequently developed through collaboration with physician Satoru Yamada, with attention given to the balance of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

In a 2019 interview, Nagatomo explained that he had set his carbohydrate intake at approximately 40–60 grams per meal at that time.

This figure reflected the approach he was following in his own demanding professional sporting environment, under the guidance of specialists.

The method became known as the fat-adapted dietary approach, or Fat Adapt, and represented one stage in his ongoing efforts to understand his body's responses to food.

He also drew on testing and measurements when considering the foods and quantities he chose.

The collaboration brought together Kato's culinary expertise, Yamada's medical knowledge and Nagatomo's practical experiences in professional football.

Discussing food and nutrition from these different perspectives became part of the athlete's continuing fascination with physical conditioning.

Nagatomo subsequently shared his dietary experiences in books and interviews, making the approach he had explored available for a wider audience to learn about.

At 38, He Emphasised Enjoying Food

Nagatomo's thinking about nutrition continued to develop as he grew older.

In a 2025 interview with GOETHE, he recalled that, as a younger player, he considered eating three proper meals every day extremely important. There had even been occasions when he ate despite having little appetite.

Over time, he began to place greater value on the enjoyment of food alongside the nutritional knowledge he had accumulated.

He described paying attention to his appetite and how his body felt when deciding what to eat.

Some mornings, his breakfast might consist simply of a banana and a protein-containing jelly. He also explained that he sometimes chose when to drink a protein supplement according to how he felt, rather than following an entirely fixed timetable.

His earlier years had involved detailed nutritional planning and experimentation. With experience, he developed an approach that also gave room to flavour, enjoyment and his understanding of his own body.

5. Manuka Honey, Protein and Supplements: Nagatomo's Nutritional Habits

Manuka Honey and His Interest in Organic Food

Nagatomo used to enjoy sweet foods and often looked forward to dessert after a meal.

In a 2016 interview with web Sportiva, he explained that his relationship with sweets had changed as he reconsidered his diet. When he particularly wanted something sweet, one of the foods he chose was manuka honey.

Manuka honey is produced from nectar collected from the flowers of the mānuka plant, which grows in New Zealand and some other regions. Known for its distinctive, rich flavour, it is one of New Zealand's best-known speciality foods.

At the time, Nagatomo described his choice of manuka honey in terms of investing in himself.

His comments reflected a desire to pay attention to the foods he consumed and make choices he personally felt comfortable with.

What makes this story especially interesting is that Nagatomo still enjoyed sweet flavours while exploring different ways to organise his overall diet.

For readers interested in New Zealand food culture, the appearance of manuka honey in the dietary habits of a Japanese international footballer offers an appealing connection.

Nagatomo also developed a strong interest in organic vegetables.

In the same 2016 interview, he described visiting farms in Italy to learn more about the environments in which vegetables were grown.

He enjoyed visiting organic food shops and choosing ingredients himself.

When travelling for matches, he carried nuts and 99% cocoa dark chocolate as snacks. At home, he kept coconut oil, which he used in preparations such as salad dressings.

Professional footballers frequently move between cities and countries, where their usual food choices may be less accessible. Nagatomo made a point of bringing familiar foods with him when travelling.

He also began paying closer attention to the way he ate. Having previously been a fast eater, he started making a conscious effort to chew thoroughly and take more time over meals.

His interest in food extended from where ingredients were grown to how he enjoyed them at the table.

Plant-Based Protein, BCAAs, Creatine and Other Supplements

Alongside his everyday meals, Nagatomo has spent time learning about protein supplements and other nutritional products.

In a 2025 interview, he spoke about obtaining protein from a variety of foods, including meat, fish, eggs, soybeans and dairy products.

He also used plant-based protein supplements, including products made with ingredients such as pea protein, soybeans and sprouted brown rice.

Nagatomo paid attention to the ingredients used in these products, considering what he was consuming as part of his dietary choices.

In an interview with SAURUS JAPAN, he also discussed incorporating amino acid supplements into his routine.

At the time, he said he made a conscious effort to consume nutrients and compounds including BCAAs, creatine, glutamine and HMB.

BCAAs are the three branched-chain essential amino acids: valine, leucine and isoleucine. Creatine and HMB are different types of compounds rather than amino acids themselves, and Nagatomo had also taken an interest in these nutritional ingredients.

He explained that he consumed amino acids around activities such as training sessions and matches, including before training and after matches.

Alongside obtaining protein from ordinary foods, he was incorporating selected nutritional supplements according to the demands of his sporting schedule.

In the same interview, Nagatomo also spoke about maintaining stretching, core training and yoga as regular practices.

His comments offer a picture of someone who considered food, supplementation and physical preparation together as aspects of everyday life.

These details reflect what Nagatomo discussed in interviews at the time. They do not establish his current supplement routine or the quantities he uses today. They are best understood as examples of his personal choices within professional sport.

From organic vegetables and manuka honey to protein supplements and individual nutritional compounds, his interests have expanded as he has continued to learn about food and physical conditioning.

Fish-Based Protein and His Love of Shirasu

Nagatomo also became involved in developing a fish-based protein bar in collaboration with chef Tatsuya Kato and a food manufacturer.

The product was made using minced fish, and he spoke about the appeal of something that could also be enjoyed by children.

His comments suggest how his interest in nutritional products could extend beyond professional football and into family mealtimes.

There is another, more familiar fish-based food that Nagatomo particularly enjoys: shirasu, the small whitebait commonly served in Japanese home cooking.

In March 2024, his wife Airi Taira shared on social media that Nagatomo regularly ate shirasu with great enjoyment.

According to Taira, it was such a familiar favourite that the food immediately made her think of her husband.

She also described trying freshly cooked rice topped with shirasu herself and being delighted by how delicious it tasted.

It is a charming contrast. Nagatomo has worked with specialists to study nutrition in considerable detail, yet he also enjoys simple, traditional foods at home.

His everyday eating habits combine preparation for professional sport with the pleasures of family cooking.

Looking at the manuka honey, nuts, plant-based protein, amino acid supplements and shirasu he has discussed over the years reveals how his interest in food has developed through different stages of his life.

6. Sleep, Gut Health and Rest: How His Conditioning Has Evolved at 40

Throughout his long career, Nagatomo has considered sleep and rest important alongside training and nutrition.

In a 2019 interview, he described good training, good food and sufficient sleep as fundamental elements of managing his physical condition.

For professional footballers, preparations for the next game often begin soon after the previous one ends. Their everyday schedules must accommodate demanding physical activity and periods of rest.

Having experienced problems involving his back and shoulder, Nagatomo developed an interest in paying attention to how his body felt and arranging his daily routine accordingly.

His interests also expanded to gut health during years of overseas travel and frequent matches.

Playing internationally involves long journeys, changes in time zones and unfamiliar food environments, all of which can influence a player's daily routine.

Nagatomo has spoken about occasionally noticing digestive discomfort while travelling, which encouraged him to pay attention to his digestive condition alongside the food he ate.

More recently, he has also shown interest in methods of tracking aspects of everyday activity, sleep and recovery.

For an athlete who previously used blood glucose measurements as part of dietary planning, the idea of gathering information about his physical condition fits naturally into his continuing curiosity about his body.

Training with Shinji Kagawa and Daichi Kamada While Facing New Injury Challenges

In January 2026, Nagatomo described the recent off-season as a particularly fulfilling period.

He was pleased to have balanced relaxation with training designed to prepare his body for the season ahead.

One interesting aspect of that period was the time he spent training with fellow Japanese footballers.

Nagatomo joined Shinji Kagawa and Daichi Kamada for three days of joint training, including demanding sprints on sand.

He recalled the sessions as physically challenging and stimulating, with the players encouraging one another.

Footballers of different ages and from different clubs had come together to prepare for their next challenges. The experience reflected Nagatomo's enjoyment of both competition and friendship.

In March 2026, he suffered an injury to the back of his right thigh but later returned to action, secured a place in Japan's World Cup squad and achieved his fifth consecutive tournament appearance in June.

In August, he decided to continue playing for FC Tokyo. The following month, however, he injured the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee on his 40th birthday, beginning another period of rehabilitation.

At an event on 22 October, Nagatomo mentioned that he regularly wore recovery clothing. This was a statement about an item he personally used at the time.

His knee injury was being managed through medical care and rehabilitation, and he spoke of his ambition to return to the pitch, win a title with FC Tokyo and pursue further opportunities with Japan.

As of October 2026, a confirmed date for his return had not been established. Nevertheless, Nagatomo continued to speak positively about his future in football.

From lower-back problems at university to shoulder injuries overseas and his knee injury at 40, Nagatomo has repeatedly confronted new physical challenges while considering how best to prepare for the next stage of his career.

7. His Relationships with Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa, and the New Zealand Match

Nagatomo's upbeat personality has long been familiar to supporters of Japan's national football team.

He encourages teammates during matches and celebrates goals with visible enthusiasm, bringing energy to the people around him.

One of the players with whom he has shared many years of international football is Keisuke Honda.

In an earlier interview, Nagatomo recalled that Honda often sat opposite him during meals at the Japan national team's accommodation.

At an event held at Meiji University, he also remembered that Shinji Kagawa frequently sat beside him, while Tomoaki Makino was often nearby.

Their conversations naturally turned to football, with the players passionately exchanging ideas and opinions about the sport.

Although they gained experience at different clubs around the world, international duty brought them together around the same table. Even ordinary mealtimes became opportunities to learn from each other's perspectives.

When Nagatomo achieved his fifth consecutive World Cup appearance in 2026, Honda watched the historic moment from the television commentary position.

Before Nagatomo entered the pitch, Honda remarked that he might be feeling even more nervous than Nagatomo himself.

It was a memorable moment between two players who had once competed together in Japan shirts and shared countless meals during national-team gatherings.

Nagatomo has also shared aspects of his physical conditioning with teammates. His yoga demonstrations and joint training sessions with Kagawa reflect his enjoyment of exchanging knowledge and encouraging those around him.

Captaining Japan Against New Zealand in 2014

Nagatomo also has a direct connection to New Zealand through international football.

On 5 March 2014, he captained Japan in an international friendly against the New Zealand national team at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

The Japan Football Association's official match record identifies Nagatomo as captain.

Japan won the match 4–2. Shinji Okazaki scored twice, with Shinji Kagawa and Masato Morishige also finding the net.

The fixture took place just a few months before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, at a time when Nagatomo was bringing considerable experience from European club football into the national team.

Being captain involves concentrating on personal performance while also communicating with teammates and helping guide the team.

The match was one of the experiences that formed part of Nagatomo's development into a senior figure within Japan's national side.

8. Airi Taira and Their Four Sons: Overseas Life, Family Meals and Everyday Wellness

Building a Family Across Italy, Turkey and France

Nagatomo married Japanese actress and television personality Airi Taira in 2017.

After their marriage, Taira moved to Italy, where Nagatomo was playing. The family subsequently lived in Turkey and France as his professional career took him to different clubs.

They now have four sons. Their eldest was born in Italy, their second son in Turkey, their third in France and their fourth in Japan.

The fact that their children were born in four different countries reflects the remarkable international experiences the family has shared.

In February 2026, Taira appeared on the television programme Tetsuko's Room and recalled the early years of married life overseas.

When she first moved to Italy, Nagatomo's sister and his personal chef helped teach her how to cook.

As she settled into life with a professional athlete who cared deeply about nutrition, Taira gradually learned more about ingredients and began establishing their own family mealtime routines.

Living abroad also brought some unexpected culinary experiences.

On one occasion, Taira bought meat at a supermarket believing it was chicken breast and prepared it for Nagatomo.

Later, after speaking with his sister, she discovered that she had actually purchased rabbit meat.

The story offers an amusing glimpse into the challenges of shopping and cooking in an unfamiliar country, as well as Taira's efforts to build a comfortable home overseas.

Another memorable family story came from Taira's account of giving birth in Italy, shared during a television appearance in February 2025.

Before the birth of their first child, the couple practised ways Nagatomo could support her during labour. Taira acted out the situation while Nagatomo rehearsed how to help her physically.

When the actual birth took place, however, Nagatomo was away. Taira later recalled laughing as she remembered all the preparation they had done together.

The episode is both warm and humorous. Nagatomo, known for carefully preparing for major football matches, had also been enthusiastically practising for an important moment in family life.

Food has remained an important part of the Nagatomo household.

In 2025, Taira shared photographs of home-cooked dishes she had prepared for her husband ahead of a match.

Despite the demands of raising four young boys, she explained that she made an effort to prepare his match-day lunch at the time he requested.

Taira's younger sister, actress Yuna Taira, has also spoken about the large quantities of food her sister prepares for the family and her attention to ingredients such as protein-rich foods.

The interest in food that Nagatomo developed throughout his professional career has therefore become part of everyday family life.

Exercise is another interest the couple shares.

In an earlier interview, Nagatomo explained that Taira also enjoyed physical activity and that they sometimes went to the gym, swam or practised yoga together.

These shared activities offered a different experience from the demanding training sessions required by professional football.

With the arrival of their four sons, home life became even livelier.

Taira has spoken about busy days filled with preparing meals, doing laundry and caring for the children. Nagatomo has also embraced his role as a father and values the time he spends with his family.

In 2025, the couple's eldest son attracted attention after preparing dinner himself while thoughtfully looking after his younger brothers.

The story suggests that the family's interest in cooking is also becoming part of the children's everyday experiences.

His Wife's Mental Strength and Life with Four Sons

In 2026, while preparing for his fifth World Cup, Nagatomo expressed deep appreciation for his wife and family.

He spoke particularly warmly about Taira, saying that he considered her mentally stronger than himself.

Throughout his long career, there have been periods when he was left out of matches, suffered injuries or struggled to achieve the results he wanted.

At those times, he said, Taira's encouraging words had been an important source of support.

Raising children in different countries brings experiences involving unfamiliar languages, cultures and surroundings. Having navigated those changes together, Nagatomo and Taira have built a family life closely connected to his football career.

In February 2026, Taira also discussed why she had chosen to marry Nagatomo. She explained that he gave her a sense of reassurance similar to what she had experienced with her own father.

Having grown up as one of six siblings, Taira spoke of the security she had felt within her family. Recognising a similar feeling with Nagatomo helped her feel comfortable beginning a new chapter of life with him.

After the 2026 World Cup, one of Nagatomo's motivations for continuing his career was the wish to show his children that he was still competing on the pitch.

His ambitions in football and his love for his family continue to shape his outlook as he enters his forties.

Looking back at Yuto Nagatomo's wellness habits reveals a remarkable journey of learning and adaptation. Core training began with back problems at university, yoga entered his life through his mother's encouragement, and meditation became part of his mental preparation. His approach to nutrition developed through collaboration with specialists, while sleep and rest remained important elements of everyday conditioning.

The foods he has chosen over the years, including manuka honey, organic vegetables, nuts, coconut oil, plant-based protein and amino acid supplements, also reflect his changing circumstances and interests at different stages of his career.

As a younger player, Nagatomo concentrated intensely on developing strength. At university, he learned to pay closer attention to stability and core control. While playing overseas, his experiences with injuries encouraged him to explore flexibility, and his nutritional experiments helped him learn more about how his body responded to different foods.

With age and experience, he has also come to appreciate the enjoyment of food, the importance of rest and his own physical sensations.

His wife Airi Taira and their four sons have become an equally important part of his life.

Although his 40th year brought another significant injury, Nagatomo has continued to express his desire to return to professional football.

His experiences illustrate the value of remaining curious about one's body and lifestyle and continuing to learn from new situations.

The determination he has developed throughout his sporting career, together with the support and enjoyment he finds in family life, helps explain the enduring appeal of Yuto Nagatomo, one of Japan's most recognisable international footballers.