Japan midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata departed for Rome from Narita airport on Friday after admitting that it had been a difficult decision to leave the national team two days before it takes on France in the Confederations Cup final.
The AS Roma star sent Japan into their first-ever final of an official FIFA tournament at full international level with a first-half free kick, which gave the host nation a 1-0 victory over Australia in Thursday's semifinals.
Then he announced his imminent departure minutes after the final whistle at International Stadium Yokohama.
"It is very difficult for me to leave at such a critical stage in the tournament, especially with such a good atmosphere in the team," Nakata said through a statement issued by the Japan Football Association (JFA) in Yokohama on Friday.
Nakata opted to return to Italy for Roma's trip Sunday to Napoli, where a victory will give his side its first Serie A title in 18 years, and expressed his gratitude to coach Philippe Troussier and the JFA for allowing him to leave.
"I can't begin to say how grateful I am to Mr. Troussier and everyone at the JFA and at (soccer's world governing body) FIFA for accepting and respecting my decision to leave," said Nakata.