Yasuhito Endo

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Endō's playing career unfolded entirely within Japan, where he was associated with Gamba Osaka for 20 years. He made his senior international debut in 2002, representing Japan in three FIFA World Cup and three FIFA Confederations Cup. In the process he earned over 150 caps, scoring 15 goals and becoming the most capped Japanese male player of all time. He is also one of the few players to have made over 1,100 official appearances and the highest number of J.League appearances in history with 672 appearances. His brother Akihiro Endō is also a former footballer. However, neither of them are related to Wataru Endo.

In Their Own Story

On 24 June 2010, Japan faced Denmark in a must-win group stage match at the FIFA World Cup. With the score 0–0, Yasuhito Endō stepped up to a free kick from just outside the box. He curled the ball over the wall and into the net, giving Japan a 1–0 lead. Japan went on to win 3–1, qualifying for the second round of the World Cup for only the second time in their history. That goal, struck with precision and composure, became one of the defining moments of Endō's international career and a highlight of Japan's 2010 campaign.

Reader's Guide

Endō was born in Kagoshima on 28 January 1980. After graduating from Kagoshima Jitsugyo High School, he joined J1 League club Yokohama Flügels in 1998. In March, he debuted against Yokohama Marinos in the opening game of the 1998 season. Largely as a central midfielder, he helped his club win the championship in the 1998 Emperor's Cup. Due to financial strain, the club was disbanded at the end of the season and merged with Yokohama Marinos. In 1999, Endō moved to Kyoto Purple Sanga with contemporaries Kazuki Teshima and Hideo Oshima. He became a regular player and played many matches. However the club was relegated to the J2 League at the end of the 2000 season. In 2001, Endō moved to J1 club Gamba Osaka. He was a central player for the club for a long time under manager Akira Nishino (2002–2011). He was selected as a J.League Best Eleven 10 years in a row (2003–2012). In 2005, Gamba won the championship in the J1 League for the first time in the club's history. In 2008, Gamba won the championship in the AFC Champions League for 2 years in a row as a Japanese club (Urawa Reds won it in 2007). Gamba also won the Emperor's Cup. Endō was selected as the 'Japanese Footballer of the Year'. In 2009, Gamba won the Emperor's Cup for 2 years in a row. Endō was selected as the Asian Footballer of the Year. Manager Nishino left Gamba after the 2011 season and the club's performance deteriorated. In 2012, Gamba finished at the 17th place of 18 clubs and was relegated to the J2 League. Endō remained with Gamba and Gamba won the championship in the 2013 season. In the 2014 season, Gamba returned to J1 and won all three major titles in Japan, J1 League, J.League Cup and Emperor's Cup. Endō was selected as the J.League MVP and 'Japanese Footballer of the Year' for the second time. In October 2020, he joined J2 League side Júbilo Iwata on loan from Gamba Osaka. In December 2021, he joined Júbilo Iwata on a full transfer. In May 2023, Endō was named MVP of J.League's first 30 years. On 9 January 2024, Endō left Jubilo itawa, having played in a record of 672 J.League matches having split it between Yokohama flügels, Kyoto Purple Sanga, Gamba Osaka and Júbilo itawa. Endō played in the 1999 World Youth Championship and Japan finished as runner-up, losing to Spain in the final. Since 2002, Endō had been a member of the Japan national team, and was selected for Japan's 2006, 2010

Did You Know?

• Endō is the most capped Japanese male player of all time with over 150 caps.
• He holds the record for the highest number of J.League appearances with 672.
• Endō was selected as the Asian Footballer of the Year in 2009.
• He scored a famous free kick against Denmark in the 2010 World Cup.