At least, one hopes he was joking.
The Albion winger was certainly smiling behind the scenes after training at the Amex on Saturday.
He really has nothing at all to be nervous about in terms of reaction to a superb strike which earned his impressive national team a 1-0 win at Wembley.
Fans of his club will have loved the way he won the ball off Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, glided through the middle of the field, played a perfect pass and then supplied a composed and accurate finish.
Remember Albion’s first goal in competitive football under head coach Fabian Hurzeler was actually scored by Mitoma against Jordan Pickford.
He now has three against the Everton and England goalkeeper and this one was a highlight moment of a positive international window for Albion players.
Others included goal involvements for Diego Gomez, Pascal Gross, Yankuba Minteh and Yasin Ayari while Ayari and Ferdi Kadioglu were successful in tense World Cup qualifying play-offs.
And England looked like they needed a striker. If only there was one around somewhere!
Building on his form off the bench against Liverpool, Mitoma also looked pleasingly lively for Japan as they beat Scotland.
England's Cole Palmer and Japan's Kaoru Mitoma battle for the ball during the international friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Tuesday March 31, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to FA restrictions. Editorial use only. Commercial use only with prior written consent of the FA. No editing except cropping.Kaoru Mitoma puts the heat on Cole Palmer at Wembley (Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
Albion players and staff had a look back at the international highlights as players returned to club duty at the end of last week.
Hurzeler said of Mitoma: “Incredible - nice goal. I know not everyone might like this goal here in the UK!
"But I think all the players who were away for the national teams really had a great impact.
“We could see that they have a big belief and a big confidence.
“They were quite successful in the last week.
“So therefore it was just nice to watch what impact they can have on their national teams as well.
“I think Kaoru was a prime example.
“He played a really good game. He was always dangerous in transition moments.
“He created a lot of danger by his individual dribbling, by his individual skills.
“So overall, it was pleasing to watch.
“We went through all the actions from the players and it was just great to watch how impactful their performances were.
“Pascal with his assist, Yasin with his unbelievable assist, and Minteh also had a great impact on their game.
“Everyone was involved and was quite impactful. We could go through all the individual players, and that's just pleasing to see because in the end they not only representing the country, they also represent us, they represent Brighton.
“I always try to follow them. I always try to stay in touch with them and to give them the support from here.
“And I was really happy to see how them performing.”
It is cherry blossom season in Japan at the moment, which is a highlight of the nation’s calendar and tourism industry.
Hanami is the popular Japanese art of springtime flower watching and the country’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hiroshi Suzuki, was a guest at such an event in Regent’s Park the day before the Wembley game.
It is not clear whether the ambassador was at the football the following evening to enjoy that other beautiful national emblem - Mitoma in full flight on an English football pitch.
But Albion’s Japanese star could not have picked a better time to be blossoming again.