The fans wanted him in, the media wanted him in, the sponsors wanted him in.
Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura controls the ball during the national team's training session in Naraha, Fukushima Pref.
But Philippe Troussier would not be swayed by public opinion or media pressure and shattered Shunsuke Nakamura's hopes of weaving his magic on the world's biggest stage when he overlooked him for selection in Japan's 2002 World Cup squad.
Graceful but often described by his critics as "lightweight" and lacking the defensive muscle needed to cut it at international level, it was a heartbreaking moment for the 27-year-old playmaker.