Galatasaray became Turkish league champion after beating Istanbul Basaksehir in the title decider on 19 May. Here is a post-match interview with defender Yuto Nagatomo.

You’ve won.

I’ve won the title last season as well, but this is a different kind of joy. I’m very happy. This has been a long one year. I had an injury, but many people were there for me and I was able to return to the team in top condition. I really want to thank everyone who had supported me.

It must have been special to celebrate the occasion with your eldest son.

I wouldn’t be here without the support of my family, and I am very grateful to them. My son entered the pitch with me for the first time and I wanted to give him a present by winning today. I want to thank everyone.

How was the title won?

It was really difficult, where we had to overcome an eight-point gap. Now, I won’t think about giving up anymore. As you have seen in the Champions League, the teams who remain are those that do not give up. Football is truly scary. The goddess of victory smiled at us. It shows that the most important thing is to never give up.

The atmosphere in the first half was amazing. Then you lost a goal.

Had we not anticipated that they would score first, we would have panicked. We had factored that in before the match and were able to play in a calm manner. We didn’t buckle under the pressure.

Was it your first time playing in such an electrifying atmosphere?

You won’t truly feel this stadium until you come here. The pressure and the passion is out of this world. I cannot help but think again how amazing Galatasaray are.

How was the temperature on the pitch? The opposition bench was clearly heated.

I was able to play calmly, thanks to experience. I could feel my World Cup experience with the national team had come in handy on such an occasion.

Are the Turkish people passionate?

They are amazing. Galatasaray is their life. The amount of passion here can’t be measured.

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Source: Yahoo

Image: Yuto Nagatomo Twitter