Wataru Endo announces absence from World Cup and retirement from Japan national team Captain leaves team 3 days before first match

Three days before the first game, the captain left the team. Not only that, but Endo quietly left his dorm without saying goodbye to his teammates who were supposed to be competing in the World Cup. Both of these incidents are unprecedented, and the team, which is said to be the strongest in history, cannot hide their upset.

Captain Wataru Endo withdraws from the World Cup and announces retirement from Japan national team

Coach Moriyasu explained about Endo on the 7th, when he opened a pre-training camp in Monterrey, ``According to the doctor's opinion, I hear that he is capable of playing in the World Cup.'' On the 10th, the day before his departure, he participated in a partial training session and appeared cheerful. It would be natural to assume that the movement occurred on the same night.

In summary, the opinion of those involved was that Endo's return during the World Cup was possible. However, adjustments were delayed, and coach Moriyasu ultimately decided to replace him. In other words, the conclusion was that unless it was in perfect condition, it could not be calculated as a force.

Endo announced on his SNS that he was retiring from the national team, writing, ``I have no regrets.'' However, if he is a captain who cares about his team, was that the best choice? I can understand how he feels after being cut short from the culmination of the World Cup, but isn't he a leader who can convey his message in his own words? It is a shame that the episode ended in such a way that people were left with a feeling of frustration. (Nashville Jiji)