Yasuhito Endo

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Endō's international career began at the 1999 World Youth Championship, where Japan finished as runner-up, losing to Spain in the final. He made his senior debut in 2002 and quickly became a fixture in the national team. On 12 October 2010, he became the fourth player to earn a 100th full international cap for Japan in a friendly against South Korea. Two years later, on 16 October 2012, he started against Brazil and earned his 123rd appearance, surpassing Masami Ihara's previous record of 122 caps to become Japan's most capped player. Endō was included in Japan's squad for the 2015 Asian Cup, scoring the team's opening goal in a 4–0 victory against Palestine. In the 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. His accuracy on free kicks was a noted weapon, as demonstrated by his goal against Denmark at the 2010 World Cup.

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

Yasuhito Endō is the most capped Japanese male player of all time, with 152 appearances and 15 goals for the national team between 2002 and 2015. He represented Japan in three FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014) and was a member of the Asian Cup winning squads in 2004 and 2011. Endō made his senior debut in 2002 and became a regular starter, known for his technical ability, leadership, and free-kick accuracy. He earned his 100th cap in 2010 against South Korea and broke the national caps record in 2012 against Brazil. His final international tournament was the 2015 Asian Cup, where he scored against Palestine and earned his 150th cap against Iraq. Endō's international career is defined by longevity, consistency, and key contributions in major tournaments.

Did You Know?

• Endō is the most capped Japanese male player of all time with 152 appearances.
• He scored from a free kick against Denmark in a 3–1 win at the 2010 World Cup, helping Japan reach the second round.
• He earned his 100th cap on 12 October 2010 in a friendly against South Korea.
• Endō broke Masami Ihara's caps record on 16 October 2012, earning his 123rd cap against Brazil.
• He was a member of Japan's 2004 and 2011 AFC Asian Cup winning teams.