Hidetoshi Nakata reveals the secret to his success

Despite retiring from football early at the age of 29, Japan legend Hidetoshi Nakata still spent more than a decade playing at the highest level.

Appearing in three World Cups and making his name in Serie A and the Premier League, Nakata is widely considered one of his nation’s greatest footballing exports.

But in an age where high-tech sports equipment and detailed nutritional plans are used to eke out every ounce of a player’s potential, Nakata revealed the secret behind his performances: pre-match power naps.

“I used to sleep, even in the locker (room)!” he told CNN.

READ: From soccer to sake, why Hidetoshi Nakata is on a cultural mission

READ: Hidetoshi Nakata – Japan’s misunderstood son returns from exile

“You know, we’d go in one hour and a half before the match and we’d have 30 or 40 minutes free time … too long. I used to read a book or sleep!”

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Published 9:41 AM EDT, Wed May 30, 2018

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Copa90: How football conquered Japan

04:07 - Source: CNN

The midfielder, who accrued 77 caps for Japan over the course of his career and won the Serie A title and Coppa Italia, also revealed who he thinks is the greatest player of all time … and had his say on the Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi debate ahead of the World Cup in Russia.

Watch the video above for his one-on-one with CNN.