Toshihiro Aoyama held a retirement press conference |

On October 21 (Monday), a press conference for Toshihiro Aoyama’s retirement was held at a hotel in Hiroshima.

Toshihiro Aoyama’s retirement press conference

“Sanfrecce Hiroshima‘s Toshiba Aoyama will retire from active duty at the end of this season.
I would like to thank the club, the team, the fans and the supporters who have supported me so far. Many thanks. “

Delegates’ questions

Q) Thank you very much for all your hard work over the past 21 years. How do you feel after your retirement press conference?

I am happy to be able to retire with Sanfrecce Hiroshima, a club I respect. I played for this club throughout my entire 21-year career, and I gave it everything. I am happy to be able to retire with such pride.

Q) When did you decide to retire? The reason is.

(When I decided to retire) Even before this season started, I had talked to (Osamu) Adachi, the previous training director, that the season this is my last one, so I decided to retire before this season started Ta.
(The reason for my resignation) I was allowed to join Sanfrecce Hiroshima because Mr. Adachi was looking for me. I think it was a big thing for me to have Mr. Adachi tap me on the shoulder (as a reason for my resignation).

Q) You have made your presence felt through your play this season. Did you have any regrets or doubts about quitting?

I was fighting with the mindset that this season was my last. In addition, I fought with the desire to reverse the decision of the club, so I feel that I did not have the ability to reverse (the decision).
Amidst all this, young players are currently working hard and taking my position and competing for the top spot in the league. I’ve never felt so good about retiring, and I think it’s a good thing for me.
I am resigning because I could not take the position. I will resign gracefully.

Q) Have you discussed retirement with anyone?

I haven’t talked about retirement myself. At the beginning of this season, I informed Coach (Michael) Skibbe that I would be retiring (at the end of this season). Coach Skibbe said, “I want to make this a worthy season for Ao,” and I also said, “I want to make it the best season, and I want to win it and make it the t – my last season.”

Q) What kind of words have you received from your closest family members that have supported you?

I don’t talk to my family in a formal way, so naturally I told them I was retiring.
Although my family didn’t tell me directly that they didn’t want me to quit, I really felt it.

Q) Looking back on your 21 years at Sanfrecce Hiroshima

Every day, I tried my best to do what I set out to do. Before I knew it, I had a long career of 21 years, but I had no time to relax and compete on the field every day. That time was so much fun.

Q) What is the most memorable thing?

This is their first J1 win in 2012. Until then, we were relegated to J2 and suffered a lot of injuries. Each time, I became stronger and climbed higher. As the players left the club one by one, I think they grew with the club, so I was delighted that this turned into a win.

Q) Regarding participation in 443 games (at the end of Round 34) in J1, the most in the history of the club.

I have nothing but thanks. I think a lot of coaches, teammates, and staff have supported me, so I’m very grateful.

Q) What kind of feelings do you want to convey to the teachers?

Everyone treated me with passion. I believe that I am who I am today because I have absorbed all the philosophy of football, and to respond 100% to the wishes of the coach at the time, I was has always stood from the same point of view as the coach and the team. I don’t know if I was able to respond to that feeling, but I am grateful that you have helped me grow this far.

Q) What play do you think is No.1?

I guess it’s fan service. (Laughs) We can only get support from our fans and supporters when we interact with them. I think the biggest thing is that we were able to fight from the same point of view. It gave me strength, and I think the relationship (with all the fans and supporters) is the secret to my success.

Q) Standing on the Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima playground, which opened this year, how did you feel about the view you saw from there?

I haven’t seen it yet. I’m standing on the pitch, but I feel like I haven’t been able to show my best yet, so I knew I wanted to stand on the pitch at the end of this season , to win the competition, and see this scene here.

Q) What kind of play would you like to see?

I think my strength is competitiveness, so I want to score goals and assist when it matters most. I hope we can give him one shot at the end of this season and show our best at the best time.

Q) What do you think of uniform number 6?

I have been playing on the pitch with this uniform number for a long time. I have been working hard to make people say, “Toshihiro Aoyama is the number 6 for Sanfrecce Hiroshima,” and it wasn’t until I got the results that I could say proudly that (number 6) is my jersey number. I would be happy if the number 6 was on the players who play there.

Q) Do you have a second dream after next season?

I want to keep fighting on the field. I want to be the best in Japan as a coach and manager at this club. I think that is my next dream.

Q) What would you like to give to your fans and supporters?

I think we have built a good relationship over a long time. For me, more than any product, the connection I have with my fans and supporters is greater, so I believe that my success as a professional footballer has been able to build that connection. I would like to thank everyone.

Q) What is your commitment for the rest of this season?

It’s not over yet, so I’d like to continue taking fighting poses and taking roles from young players if I have the chance. I will keep running believing that I can do it until the end. This purple Number 6 will continue to fight until the end, believing that it will bring results in the end. Please keep watching.