With Japan's World Cup clash against the Netherlands just around the corner, difficult news has emerged.
Japan captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the national team squad and announced his retirement from international football. The news was confirmed on Thursday.
There were undoubtedly many factors behind the decision that those of us on the outside cannot fully see, and Endo himself will have given it deep consideration.
To be honest, it leaves me feeling very sad. But before anything else, the first thing I want to say is: thank you, and well done.
The 33-year-old had initially been named in Japan's World Cup squad. He had hoped to recover from the foot injury he suffered while playing for Liverpool in February and lead his country into the tournament as captain.
That dream, however, will not be fulfilled.
Yet Endo insists he has no regrets.
“Since my injury, I’ve done everything I possibly could up to this point, so I have no regrets whatsoever.”
He also added:
“From here on, I’ll be cheering for the Japan national team as one of the fans.”
Thinking back to February, Endo suffered an injury serious enough to require surgery. Even then, he tried to get back on his feet and continue playing in order to protect his team.
Looking back now, one may wonder whether pushing himself in that moment ultimately came at a cost.
But that fighting spirit was precisely what captured the hearts of the KOP.
Wherever he has played, Endo has embodied leadership. He has shown captaincy qualities at Liverpool, but what stands out most to me is his time as captain of Stuttgart.
For a Japanese player to be entrusted with the captain's armband at a Bundesliga club was something that would have been almost unimaginable not so long ago.
That achievement alone speaks volumes about the respect he earned from teammates, coaches and supporters alike.
Although Wataru Endo's international career has now come to an end, his journey in club football continues.
That is why this is not really an ending.
A new chapter still lies ahead.
And from the bottom of my heart, I hope that chapter continues to be written at Liverpool.