Japan’s national team captain Wataru Endo has been ruled out of the upcoming World Cup due to injury and has announced his retirement from international football just days before the team’s opening match against the Netherlands.
The 33-year-old midfielder had been struggling with a foot injury since February. Although he recently returned to full training and was named on the bench for Liverpool’s final match of the season, he ultimately failed to recover in time to take part in the tournament.
Following his withdrawal, Borussia Mönchengladbach forward Shuto Machino has been called up as his replacement in Japan’s squad.
Endo confirmed his decision in a statement shared on social media, expressing both disappointment and pride in his international career.
“As announced, I will be stepping away from the World Cup squad,” he wrote.
“Of course, there's frustration at not being able to participate in this World Cup, but more than that, I'm proud of how we've grown together since the Qatar World Cup — me as captain, leading this team and turning our goal of ‘winning the World Cup’ into something we can say as a matter of course.
“The current team is truly a wonderful team. I believe they will overcome any adversity and show us sights we've never seen before.
“With this campaign, I will be retiring from the national team. So from here on, I'll be cheering for the Japan national team as one of the fans. The moment when the Japan national team wins the World Cup will surely come someday. Let's believe in that and cheer them on together.
“And let's unite Japan's strength as one so that moment comes in this tournament — everyone, let's take on the North and Central America World Cup together!! Everyone, give it everything you've got.”
Endo made his debut for Japan in 2015 and went on to earn 73 caps, scoring four goals. He had served as captain since the post-2022 World Cup period and was widely regarded as a key leader in the squad.
His absence marks a significant setback for Japan as they prepare for their opening fixture against the Netherlands.
.jpeg)
0 Comments
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed on this platform as comments were freely made by each person under his or her own volition or responsibility and were neither suggested nor dictated by the owners of News PLATFORM or any of their contracted staff. So we take no liability whatsoever for such comments.
Please take note!