Masashi Nakayama: The Man Who Scored Japan’s First World Cup Goal
Masashi Nakayama: The Man Who Scored Japan’s First World Cup Goal
“Gon” Nakayama was a force of nature for Júbilo Iwata and Japan — and the scorer of the country’s very first goal at a World Cup finals.
Masashi Nakayama — affectionately “Gon” — is a Japanese football icon who scored the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal, against Jamaica at France 1998. A Júbilo Iwata legend, he was 1998 J.League MVP and top scorer (36 goals), won 53 caps and 21 goals for Japan, and still holds the world record for the fastest international hat-trick (3 minutes, 3 seconds).
In this guide
1. Who Masashi Nakayama is
2. A historic first goal
3. A J.League great
4. Why he matters
1. Who Masashi Nakayama is
The relentless striker who put Japan on the World Cup scoresheet.
Nakayama embodied effort and instinct in the box.1 For a generation of fans, “Gon” is inseparable from both Júbilo Iwata’s golden era and Japan’s World Cup debut.
2. A historic first goal
At France 1998, Japan’s World Cup debut, Nakayama scored the country’s first-ever goal at a finals — against Jamaica, in the 74th minute.1 It remains a landmark moment in Japanese football history, even in a narrow defeat.
3. A J.League great
With Júbilo Iwata (formerly Yamaha Motors), Nakayama was a prolific match-winner — 1998 J.League MVP and top scorer with 36 goals.1 Internationally he scored 21 goals in 53 caps, and in 2000 he set the world record for the fastest international hat-trick: three goals in 3 minutes and 3 seconds against Brunei.
4. Why he matters
- He made history. Japan’s first World Cup goal, 1998.
- He was a J.League great. 1998 MVP and top scorer for Júbilo.
- He holds a world record. The fastest international hat-trick ever.
In five lines
- Masashi “Gon” Nakayama is a Japanese football icon.
- He scored Japan’s first-ever World Cup goal (1998 vs Jamaica).
- He was 1998 J.League MVP and top scorer (36 goals).
- He won 53 caps and scored 21 goals for Japan.
- He holds the record for the fastest international hat-trick.
Explore the J.League
Clubs, players and how to follow Japanese football.
Sources & notes
- Masashi Nakayama (“Gon”) — Japan’s first World Cup goal (1998 vs Jamaica); Júbilo Iwata legend (1998 J.League MVP & top scorer, 36 goals); 53 caps / 21 goals; world-record fastest international hat-trick (3m03s vs Brunei, 2000). Kiddle/Wikipedia; FIFA
A club profile dated 16 June 2026. League structure and standings change — flagged ⚠ items should be confirmed against official sources.
📅 更新履歴
| 日付 | 変更内容 |
|---|---|
| 2026年6月16日 | 初回公開 |
✅ ファクト再検証
最終検証日：2026年6月16日
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