On Tuesday, Jubilo Iwata, the J1 club, declared the retirement of midfielder Yasuhito Endo. Endo, renowned for his exceptional career with 672 appearances in J-League first-division games and a record-setting 152 caps for Japan, has decided to conclude his illustrious football journey.

In 1998, at the tender age of 18, Endo embarked on his professional football career immediately after high school, joining the now-defunct Yokohama Flugels. Throughout his journey, the 43-year-old secured J-League championships with Gamba Osaka in both 2005 and 2014, while also claiming the prestigious Asian Champions League title in 2008.

"For 26 years I've had a long, fulfilling and the best possible soccer career," Endo said, "I never thought I'd be able to come this far."

Endo participated in three successive World Cups for Japan, and his noteworthy free-kick goal in 2010 played a pivotal role in Japan advancing to the knockout round in South Africa that year.

He won 152 Japan caps, a record.

After almost twenty years as a football player at Gamba Osaka, Endo expressed his joy at returning to the team, now in the role of a coach.

"As a coach, I am still learning... but I want to grow with the players and contribute to the team's victories," he said.

Kozo Tashima, president of the Japan Football Association, said Endo posses the ability "to make decisions calmly" and "high level of (football) skills."

"I hope he will use his experience and achievements for the development of Japanese football."

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