Daizen Maeda has revealed the only time football made him cry was when he was knocked out of the last World Cup with Japan.
The Celtic hero is a key player for Japan, who are viewed as dark horses to win the trophy for the first time after blitzing their qualification group and winning at both Hampden and Wembley in their March friendlies against Scotland and England.
They have qualified for their seventh World Cup in a row and Maeda looks set to be a certain starter for the Samurai Blue.
It will be his second World Cup after playing in three of Japan's four games at their last Finals in Qatar.
Maeda scored as they crashed out in the Round of 16 after a penalty shootout against Croatia.
He was pictured being consoled after the game by former Celtic teammate Josip Juranovic.
And the 28-year-old has revealed that was his saddest day in football after admitting he knows he is expected to be a big player at the Finals.
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He said: "When we got eliminated by Croatia in the last World Cup, I cried for the first and only time in football.
"At the previous World Cup in Qatar, I just went with the flow and had no distractions.
"But this time, my thoughts are complicated. I’ve been with the national team all the way since then and now I’m finally at the critical juncture of World Cup preparation.
"I know I’m under pressure and being selected for the team is not a sure thing.
"But I firmly believe that my strengths will be fully displayed in the World Cup. I've been patient and focused all my time.
"I'm fully prepared for all positions, including wing-back and as a second striker."
