Makoto Hasebe, who captained Japan at three straight World Cups and achieved almost legendary status in Germany, is at peace with his decision to retire after a career spanning over 20 years.
Although, it has not yet sunk in for a player who was competing in one of Europe’s top leagues as a 40-year-old and brought down the curtain on a remarkable career when he came on as a substitute near the end of Eintracht Frankfurt’s draw against Leipzig in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sunday.
“My mind is trying to understand that I’m retired,” Hasebe said during his retirement news conference alongside Frankfurt sporting director Markus Kroesche at a Tokyo hotel on Friday. “But my body wants to kick the ball now. I feel like my body does not understand.”