Nobuo Matsunaga (松永 信夫, 6 December 1921 – 25 September 2007) was a Japanese footballer who represented his country at the international level. Active in the mid-20th century, Matsunaga belonged to the generation that helped rebuild and develop organized football in Japan after World War II.

Overview and playing era

Matsunaga's career took place during a period when Japanese association football was transitioning from regional and company teams toward a more structured national competition. Public records confirm his selection for the Japan national team, though many contemporary match details and club affiliations from that era are less comprehensively documented in surviving sources.

Characteristics and record

Descriptions of Matsunaga's style, position and statistics are limited in widely available records. Like many players of his generation, he would have been involved with university or company sides and the emerging national setup. Historical summaries emphasize his role as a national team representative rather than extensive club statistics.

Family and notable facts

  • He was part of a family with strong footballing ties: his brothers Akira Matsunaga and Seki Matsunaga also played for the Japan national team.
  • Having multiple siblings represent the same country is uncommon and makes the Matsunaga family notable in Japanese football history.
  • The player is often referenced in lists and historical accounts of early postwar Japanese internationals.

Legacy and further reading

Matsunaga is remembered principally for his role as an international player during a formative era for Japanese football. For context on the sport in Japan and the national team’s development, consult general histories of football in Japan and resources about Japanese sport in the 20th century. Specific match reports and detailed statistics from his playing years may be found in specialized archives and contemporary newspapers.

Although comprehensive statistical records for Nobuo Matsunaga are scarce in mainstream sources, his inclusion in the national squad and his family's multi-player legacy secure his place in the historical narrative of football in Japan.