Nobuhisa Yamada

1.1. Childhood and School Days

Yamada's football journey began early, attending Fujieda City Inaba Elementary School and Fujieda City Fujieda Junior High School. He then played for Fujieda Higashi High School from 1991 to 1993, a period that laid the foundation for his professional career.

1.2. Professional Debut and Early Activities

After graduating from high school, Yamada joined Urawa Red Diamonds in 1994, marking the beginning of his illustrious professional career. He made his first league appearance on April 27, 1994, against Shimizu S-Pulse at Kusanagi Athletic Stadium. His first professional goal came later that year on November 19, 1994, against Yokohama F. Marinos at Toyama Stadium. In his debut season, Yamada was initially deployed as a forward, sometimes partnering with legendary striker Masahiro Fukuda in a two-top formation. From 1995 onwards, he predominantly played as a right-sided wing-back or full-back, showcasing the adaptability that would define his career.

2.1. Performance at Urawa Reds

Yamada's career at Urawa Reds was marked by his remarkable versatility and consistent performance across various positions. While he primarily played as a right-side defender or midfielder, he also excelled as a stopper, libero, and attacking midfielder. He even played as a defensive midfielder and center-back later in his career, and even briefly as a left-back. His ability to adapt to almost any outfield position made him an invaluable asset to the team throughout his tenure.

In 2003, Yamada solidified his position as the starting right-back for the Japan national team. Concurrently, he maintained his role as a regular right wing-back for Urawa Reds, contributing significantly to the team's victory in the J.League Cup, his first major title. In 2004, he initially played as a right wing-back during the first stage of the J.League season. Following an injury to teammate Koji Yamase, Yamada transitioned to an attacking midfield role in the second stage, where he excelled and helped Urawa Reds secure the second-stage title as captain. However, the team was defeated by Yokohama F. Marinos in the championship playoff.

The 2006 season saw Yamada initially play on the right side of the field, his customary position. After experiencing a dip in form during the summer, he moved to a substitute role. However, he made a strong return, scoring a decisive goal as a substitute in a match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on September 16. Following this, he reclaimed a starting spot as an attacking midfielder and went on to score a career-high six goals, playing a crucial role in Urawa's J1 League championship victory.

In 2007, Yamada returned to the right wing-back position. He started nearly all official matches, including league games, the AFC Champions League, and the J.League Cup, until a muscle tear on October 29 against Nagoya Grampus. The 2008 season saw him start several matches as an attacking midfielder before shifting to defensive midfield and right wing-back roles. On October 19, he made his first start as a left-back against Vissel Kobe, although he moved to right-back in the second half.

For the 2009 season, Urawa Reds adopted a four-back system for the first time in eight seasons, with Yamada securing the regular right-back spot. He also played as a center-back alongside Keisuke Tsuboi during the J.League Cup qualifiers after the departure of Marcus Tulio Tanaka. In 2010, following Tanaka's transfer to Nagoya Grampus, Yamada started the season as a center-back and continued in that role even after the return of Matthew Spiranovic during the summer.

In 2011, Yamada played as a center-back at the beginning of the season. After the suspension of play due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, he primarily played as a defensive midfielder and later as a left or right-back towards the end of the season, demonstrating his continued value in various roles. In 2012, his appearances were mostly as a substitute, and he faced a long-term injury. However, he returned towards the end of the season, filling in at center-back after Mitsuru Nagata suffered a long-term thigh muscle tear, significantly contributing to Urawa's third-place finish in the league.

On April 27, 2013, Yamada celebrated his 20th year with Urawa Reds, a remarkable milestone. This marked the first time in J.League history that a player had remained with a single team for 20 years. This achievement is rare globally, with only a few outfield players like Francesco Totti and Ryan Giggs having achieved similar longevity with one club. Coincidentally, his 20th-anniversary match was against Shimizu S-Pulse at Kusanagi Athletic Stadium, the same opponent and venue as his professional debut. A special "Nobuhisa Yamada 20th Anniversary" event was held on this day. On October 27, 2013, he made a substitute appearance against Kashiwa Reysol, achieving his 500th J.League appearance, making him only the third player in J.League history to reach this milestone, following Teruyoshi Ito and Seigo Narazaki. His 500th appearance while remaining with one team for 20 years was an unprecedented achievement in the J.League. Yamada also served as club captain for Urawa Reds from 2004 to 2008.

2.2. Key Records and Achievements

Nobuhisa Yamada's career is highlighted by several significant individual and club records:

• He is one of only three players in J.League history to achieve over 500 total appearances in the J.League.
• He holds the unique distinction of being the first player in J.League history to remain with a single club for 20 years, a testament to his loyalty and dedication.
• He holds the record for the youngest player to reach 350 appearances in the J1 League.

With Urawa Reds, Yamada contributed to securing numerous major titles:

• J1 League: 2006
• J1 League 2nd Stage: 2004
• J.League Cup: 2003
• Emperor's Cup: 2005, 2006
• Japanese Super Cup: 2006
• AFC Champions League: 2007

3.1. Youth National Team

Yamada was a key member of the Japan national under-20 football team. He participated in the 1995 FIFA World Youth Championship held in Qatar. In this tournament, he played all four matches as a right midfielder and scored one goal against the Burundi U-20 team.

3.2. Senior National Team

Yamada made his full international debut for the Japan senior national team on November 20, 2002, in a friendly match against Argentina at Saitama Stadium 2002. In 2003, he became a regular right-sided defender and played in most matches for the national team, including the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup and the EAFF E-1 Football Championship. His first and only international goal for the senior team came on February 7, 2004, in a friendly against Malaysia at Kashima Soccer Stadium. He accumulated 15 caps and scored 1 goal for Japan between 2002 and 2004.

The following table details Nobuhisa Yamada's appearances for the Japan senior national team:

3.3. Controversies

During his national team career, Nobuhisa Yamada was involved in an unauthorized outing incident in 2004. On February 9, 2004, while at a Japan national team training camp in Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture, it was discovered that Yamada, along with seven other players, had left the camp without permission. Although Yamada did not consume alcohol, unlike some of the other players, then-coach Zico viewed the act as a "betrayal." As a result, Yamada and the other seven players were excluded from the national team.

Another notable incident occurred on April 2005 during a match against Oita Trinita. Yamada was tackled in the penalty area, resulting in his shoulder being dislocated. However, the referee not only failed to award a foul to Yamada but instead issued him a yellow card for simulation. This incident was later highlighted as a "pity yellow card" on the TV Asahi program マツコ&有吉の怒り新党_{Matsuko & Ariyoshi no Ikari Shintō}^Japanese (Matsuko & Ariyoshi's Angry Party) on August 22, 2013.

5.1. Retirement Announcement and Background

At the end of the 2013 season, Nobuhisa Yamada's contract with Urawa Red Diamonds expired, leading to his retirement from active play. He held a press conference on January 29, 2014, to announce his decision. Yamada's 21-year tenure as a "one-club man" with Urawa Reds was the longest in the club's history, surpassing even that of "Mr. Reds" Masahiro Fukuda. In recognition of his immense contributions and remarkable loyalty, Yamada was awarded the J.League Distinguished Service Award at the end of 2014.

5.2. Testimonial Match

A special testimonial match, titled 'Nobuhisa Yamada Testimonial: NOBUHISA YAMADA TESTIMONIAL', was held in his honor on July 5, 2014, at Saitama Stadium 2002. The match featured a contest between the then-current Urawa Reds team and a team composed of "Rest of the REDS" - a selection of Urawa Reds legends.

The match results were as follows:

• Date: July 5, 2014
• Time: 17:04
• Venue: Saitama Stadium 2002
• Match: Urawa Reds vs. Rest of the REDS
• Score: Urawa Reds 5 - 6 Rest of the REDS
• Goalscorers for Urawa Reds: Tadanari Lee (11'), Takahiro Sekine (62'), Shinya Yajima (65'), Naoki Yamada (78'), Nobuhisa Yamada (82')
• Goalscorers for Rest of the REDS: Robson Ponte (19'), Washington (26'), Nobuhisa Yamada (28'), Washington (45'), Nobuhisa Ikeda (54'), Nobuhisa Yamada's eldest son, Nobuo Yamada (71')
• Referee: Jo Higashi
• Attendance: 33,828 spectators

The participating players included:

• Urawa Reds (Manager: Mihailo Petrović): Nobuhisa Yamada (entered as a substitute in the 71st minute for Urawa Reds team), current Urawa Reds players (excluding those playing for Rest of the REDS and Shusaku Nishikawa), and Urawa Reds youth players (小川紘生_{Hiroki Ogawa}^Japanese (No. 24), 茂木力也_{Rikiya Motegi}^Japanese (No. 25), 斎藤翔太_{Shota Saito}^Japanese (No. 26)).
  • Note: Norihiro Yamagishi had transferred to Montedio Yamagata in June and was unable to play for Rest of the REDS as planned. Naoki Iwate, who had joined Urawa from Mito HollyHock, participated in the Urawa Reds team.
• Rest of the REDS (Manager: Guido Buchwald): Tomoyasu Ando (No. 1), Keisuke Tsuboi (No. 2), Marcus Tulio Tanaka (No. 4), Nene (No. 5), Nobuhisa Yamada (No. 6, played until 65th minute for Rest of the REDS team), Nobuo Yamada (No. 6, Nobuhisa Yamada's eldest son), Tomoyuki Sakai (No. 7), Shinji Ono (No. 8), Masahiro Fukuda (No. 9), Robson Ponte (No. 10), Tatsuya Tanaka (No. 11), Ichiei Muroi (No. 12), Keita Suzuki (No. 13), Tadahiro Hirakawa (No. 14), Yasushi Fukunaga (No. 15), Katsuyuki Miyazawa (No. 16), Makoto Hasebe (No. 17, unable to play due to club contract), Nobuhisa Ikeda (No. 18), Hideki Uchidate (No. 19), Kiyoshi Horinouchi (No. 20), Washington (No. 21), Shinji Jojima (No. 22), Ryota Tsuzuki (No. 23), Masaaki Okamura (No. 30).
  • Note: Yuichiro Nagai was also scheduled to participate but was unable to due to Arterivo Wakayama advancing to the second round of the Emperor's Cup.

6.1. Coaching and Club Staff Activities

From 2015 to 2017, Yamada served as a support coach for the Urawa Red Diamonds youth team. His contract for this role was terminated on February 8, 2017. In 2019, he took on the role of manager for Ituano FC Yokohama, a club in the Kanagawa Prefectural Football League Division 1. In 2020, it was announced that he would serve as both manager and player for the club.

7.1. Club Honours

With Urawa Red Diamonds, Yamada won the following major titles:

• AFC Champions League: 2007
• J1 League: 2006
• J1 League 2nd Stage: 2004
• Emperor's Cup: 2005, 2006
• J.League Cup: 2003
• Japanese Super Cup: 2006

7.2. Individual Honours

• J.League Distinguished Service Award: 2014

8.1. Club Statistics

¹ Includes appearances in the J.League Championship, Japanese Super Cup, A3 Champions Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.

8.2. National Team Statistics

Nobuhisa Yamada represented Japan in various international matches, accumulating 15 caps and scoring one goal for the senior team.

10.1. Symbolism as a 'One-Club Man'

Yamada is a powerful symbol of loyalty and dedication in Japanese football. Spending his entire 21-year professional career with Urawa Reds earned him the title of a "one-club man" and the affectionate moniker "Mr. Reds," a distinction previously held by Masahiro Fukuda. This unparalleled longevity with a single team, especially for a field player, was a pioneering feat in the J.League, making him an icon for Urawa Reds fans. His commitment fostered a deep connection with the club's supporters, who celebrated his milestones with elaborate displays, such as the choreography created by the Urawa Boys upon his retirement.

10.2. Contributions to Japanese Football

Yamada's contributions to the development of Japanese football extend beyond his club loyalty. His remarkable versatility, enabling him to competently play almost every outfield position, set a precedent for player adaptability. This unique characteristic demonstrated the value of tactical flexibility and professional commitment. Throughout his career, he displayed strong leadership, particularly during his tenure as captain from 2004 to 2008, guiding the team through successful periods. His consistent performance and dedication inspired many young players and showcased the enduring spirit of Japanese football. His legacy is not only defined by the numerous titles he won with Urawa Reds but also by the example he set as a devoted and multifaceted footballer.