on a full transfer. International career Endō played in the 1999 World Youth Championship and Japan finished as runner-up, losing to Spain in the final. Since 2002, Endō has been a member of the Japan national team, and was selected for Japan's 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cup squads. He also was a member of the 2004 and 2011 Asian Cup winning teams. 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 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 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 on 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. It is because he has formidable passing 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, despite only playing domestically in his home country. Career statistics Club International Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Endō goal. Honours Yokohama Flügels Emperor's Cup: 1998 Gamba Osaka J1 League: 2005, 2014 J2 League: 2013 Emperor's Cup: 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015 J.League Cup: 2007, 2014 Japanese Super Cup: 2007, 2015 AFC Champions League: 2008 Pan-Pacific Championship: 2008 FIFA Club World Cup: 2008 Bronze Medalist. Júbilo Iwata J2 League: 2021 Japan AFC Asian Cup: 2004, 2011 Afro-Asian Cup of Nations: 2007 Kirin Cup: 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009 Individual Asian Footballer of the Year: 2009 AFC Champions League Best Player: 2008 J.League MVP Award: 2014 Japanese Footballer of the Year: 2008, 2014 J.League Best Eleven: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011,