Japan's veteran soccer star Endo retires at 43

Yasuhito Endo's name kinda rhymes, thus was easy to remember for me as a teenager in late 2000s. Never played outside Japan but every football fan knew him as the main man of JP squad in WC2010 along with Keisuke Honda.

Just yesterday a video of JP vs Paraguay match of WC2010 came up on my Facebook feed. Good times.

Good luck in coacing career, Endo senshu.

Outstanding midfielder, always dangerous, and one of the Japanese all-time greats in football. Top 10 at least.

Wishing Endo-San a prosperous, fruitful and successful management career. Thanks for the entertainment on the pitch over the years!

1152 official appearances ranks Endo as 9th worldwide for official games played.

Jaw-dropping for a midfielder!