Junichi Inamoto joined Arsenal on loan in 2001 before heading to Fulham
The Japanese star burst onto world stage with two goals at the 2002 World Cup
SOCCER A-Z: Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube. New episodes every Wednesday
By SAM LAWLEY
Published: 13:24 EST, 5 December 2024 | Updated: 13:24 EST, 5 December 2024
Former Arsenal midfielder Junichi Inamoto has finally called time on his career aged 45, revealing that he believes he has 'done everything he can' in the game.
The Japanese talent headed to Arsene Wenger's side on loan from Gamba Osaka in 2001, playing matches in the Champions League and League Cup as part of a successful team.
Just weeks after leaving north London, Inamoto became a globally-known name, starring for his national side in their home World Cup in 2002 by scoring goals in consecutive games against Belgium and Russia.
His stay in England was not over, however, and the midfielder went on to have a productive spell at Fulham, striking nine times for the club including four across two legs in their 2002 Intertoto Cup final win over Bologna.
Inamoto made 32 appearances at West Brom and 16 at Cardiff before heading to the likes of Galatasaray and Eintracht Frankfurt for more reliable game time. He returned to Japan in 2010 for a stint at Kawasaki Frontale where he featured 134 times.
But now the national icon has decided to retire at last after 28 years of playing and held a press conference in Tokyo to explain his reasons for calling it a day.
Former Arsenal man Junichi Inamoto has finally hung up his boots after a 28-year career
The Japanese star shot into stardom in 2002 with a goal against Belgium at his home World Cup
He then became a national icon with another strike in the very next match against Russia
He said: 'For the past two or three years, I have thought about retiring every year, but this year I felt that I was not able to contribute to the team's strength with my current abilities.
'Of course, I understand that my presence raises the team's morale, but when it came to actually playing in a match and whether I could perform in a way that would lead the team to victory, I felt that it would be a little tough, and so I made this decision.
'It all comes down to the fact that soccer is fun. Even if the environment is different, there is only one ball, and it remains the sport of soccer. I've been playing for 28 years, but my honest feeling now is that I've done everything I can.'
Inamoto talked fondly of his breakthrough summer at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, attributing the crowd at his leaving presser directly to his performances at that iconic tournament.
'Honestly, if it weren't for that tournament, I don't think so many people would have come to my retirement press conference,' he said. 'It was that match that made my name known to people all over the world.
'Of course, I went to Arsenal before that, but in terms of the impact, I think that goal had an incredible impact.'
The defensive midfielder also discussed the best players he played with and his plans for the future.
'When it comes to overseas players, Zidane (former French national team player) was the most amazing,' he said.
He moved on to Fulham and scored some memorable goals including an Intertoto Cup hat-trick
Inamoto (pictured, battling Charlton's Darren Bent for the ball) also featured for West Brom
His displays at the likes of Galatasaray heralded the arrival of more Japanese stars in Europe
'At the time, I was confident that I could get the ball from any opponent if I went for it at my own timing, but I remember that I couldn't get the ball from Zidane at all. I thought that I couldn't compete with Zidane's incredibly elegant play.
'After all this time, it will be very lonely to leave the field, so I think I'll probably go on to become a coach. It's not something I can just go on to if I want to. I think I'll find a place to accept me in the future, but if possible, I'd like to become a coach and always experience those feelings of frustration and joy that I get on the field.'
Inamoto, who at 17 was the youngest to ever play in the J-League at the time, rose through as part of a golden generation of Japanese talent in a side which came second in the 1999 World Youth Championship.
He went on to play 82 matches for his country and featured in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. His goals in the Champions League after leaving England are credited with paving the way for Japanese stars to come to Europe to ply their trade.