【Profile】
After graduating from Doshisha University, Yuta Nakano joined Portimonense U-23 in Portugal. Since July 2022, he has been playing as a forward (FW) for FC Rustavi in Georgia.
① What led you to come to Rustavi, Georgia as a football player? And what was your first impression when you arrived?
Before coming to Rustavi, Georgia, I was playing for Portimonense U-23 in Portugal. Later, through my agent, I had the opportunity to join FC Rustavi, which brought me to Georgia for the first time in July 2022. Upon arriving at Tbilisi Airport, I took a taxi directly not to the capital Tbilisi, but to Rustavi, where FC Rustavi is based.
My first impression of Rustavi was that the city carried a unique atmosphere that I hadn’t felt in any country I had visited before.
② What kind of team is FC Rustavi, where you have been playing for the past three years?
At FC Rustavi, I feel that the team members share common goals and a unified vision. We constantly push each other to improve, and I believe this is a team with great potential.
Rustavi is one of the larger cities in Georgia and offers comfortable living, with easy access from the capital, Tbilisi. I also find it to be an environment that allows me to fully focus on football.
These three years of playing for FC Rustavi have also been the period during which I started living in Rustavi. Over that time, the city’s infrastructure has improved significantly in a positive way. The club is also preparing to build a new stadium and has been investing more in its football academy and women’s team. Georgia as a country has changed as well. I believe this three-year journey has brought growth not only to the city, the team, and the country—but also to myself.
Aside from two Georgian players, I am currently the longest-serving member of FC Rustavi. I am committed to continuing to give my best and contribute to the team’s success.
③ What are the key differences between football culture in Japan and Georgia (or abroad)?
Since joining FC Rustavi, I’ve noticed three distinct aspects.
First, I feel that results are valued more highly here. While Japan often emphasizes the importance of the process, overseas the mindset seems to be that results are everything. In Japan, it’s frequently said that there are players who perform well in training but struggle to show their true ability in official matches. In contrast, overseas players tend to be more resilient and deliver during actual games. This has led me to place greater importance on results myself.
Second is the nature of relationships with teammates, coaches, and managers. In Japan, differences based on age are often felt. However, in Georgia and other countries, such differences are much less pronounced, allowing for a more equal and open dynamic among teammates both in matches and training. It’s also easier to build closer relationships with coaches and staff.
Lastly, I’ve come to recognize the importance of rest. In Georgia and other overseas environments, I sense that taking breaks is viewed as more essential than in Japan. For instance, comparing the length of school vacations, the approach toward holidays is clearly different. As an athlete, I’ve come to truly appreciate how critical rest is to performance and well-being.
④ What are your goals for the future through football in Georgia?
FC Rustavi, where I’ve been playing for three years, currently competes in Georgia’s second division. My goal is to stay focused on each match, produce strong results, and contribute to the team’s promotion to the top division.
Furthermore, to the best of my knowledge, I am the only Japanese football player in Rustavi and possibly in Georgia as a whole. That’s why I feel a strong sense of responsibility, as if I’m representing Japan within Georgia. I believe that my success at FC Rustavi will help pave the way for the next generation, and I also hope it will strengthen the connection between Japan and Georgia through football.
● FC Rustavi Official Website: FC Rustavi
● Yuta Nakano’s Instagram Account
