Nakayama, Masashi

Personal Information

Masashi Nakayama, affectionately known as Gon, was a professional footballer born in Shizuoka. After attending Fujieda Higashi High School and Tsukuba University, he joined Jubilo Iwata, a club competing in the Japan Football League, which served as a precursor to the J. League and featured company-sponsored teams. Playing primarily as a forward, Nakayama made his J. League debut on March 11, 1994. He remained a consistent presence in the Jubilo lineup until 2009, helping the team establish itself as one of the top competitors in the league from its inception. With a career strike rate of over a goal every two games, he served as an inspirational and talismanic leader for both Jubilo Iwata and the Japanese national team. On the international stage, Nakayama achieved historic milestones. At the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, he scored Japan's first-ever World Cup goal against Jamaica on June 26, 1998, which was also the only goal the team managed during that tournament. By 2009, he had tallied 21 goals in 53 appearances for the national team, ranking him eighth all-time among his country's goalscorers. Additionally, he holds the world record for the fastest hat-trick at the international level. On February 16, 2000, during an AFC Asian Cup qualification match against Brunei, he scored three goals in just three minutes and three seconds. This performance beat the previous record set by George William Hall in 1938 by 27 seconds. His prowess was further highlighted in the J. League in April 1998, when he scored four consecutive hat-tricks between April 15 and April 29, netting 16 goals in those matches, a feat recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. Known for his outspoken and humorous nature, Nakayama was a fan favorite among casual supporters throughout his career. Although injuries and age eventually impacted his skills as he approached the twilight of his tenure, he remained a beloved figure for the Jubilo faithful. At the Yamaha Stadium, his name consistently drew the loudest cheers from the home crowd during warm-ups or when he entered as a substitute. On December 4, 2012, at the age of 45, Nakayama announced his retirement, citing injuries to both knees. He concluded his career as the J. League's all-time leading scorer with 157 goals, having played three seasons for Consadole Sapporo prior to his departure.

Seiyuu / Dub

Gon

Nakayama, Masashi