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Yasuhito Endō (遠藤 保仁, Endō Yasuhito, born 28 January 1980) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a midfielder.
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 World Cups and three Confederations Cups. 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 Endō.
Club career
Yokohama Flügels
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 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.
Júbilo Iwata
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 announced his retirement from professional football, having played in a record of 672 J.League matches.
On 24 June 2010, Endō scored from a free kick against Denmark in a 3–1 win as Japan qualified for the second round of the World Cup.
On 12 October 2010, he became the fourth player to earn a 100th full international cap for Japan in a friendly match against South Korea. On 16 October 2012, Endō became Japan's most capped player in a friendly match against Brazil. His start in this match was his 123rd appearance for the national team, surpassing Masami Ihara's previous record of 122 caps.
Endō was included in Japan's squad for the 2015 Asian Cup and scored the team's opening goal of the tournament in a 4–0 defeat of Palestine. In the team's next match, he earned his 150th cap as Japan defeated Iraq 1–0. He played 152 games and scored 15 goals for Japan until 2015.
Style of play
He is considered a cult hero among fans of Gamba Osaka and the Japan national team, attributed to his longevity as a professional athlete, technical ability, leadership, and goal scoring ability. He is also known for his excellent accuracy on free kicks and is revered as one of Japan's most creative midfielders as well as one of the most talented Japanese footballers and playmakers of his generation, this despite only playing domestically in his home country.
Career statistics
Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Endō playing for Japan in 2008
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Nigeria
Malaysia
Serbia and Montenegro
Vietnam
Thailand
Oman
Bahrain
South Korea
Denmark
Venezuela
Guatemala
Ghana
Costa Rica
Honduras
Palestine
