Wataru Endo issues statement confirming Japan retirement after World Cup heartbreak

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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesWataru EndoLiverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has issued a statement after withdrawing from the World Cup through injury and confirming that he has retired from international soccerWataru Endo steps off the plane in Nashville.(Image: Donald Page/Getty Images)Wataru Endo has issued a statement after his World Cup dreams were cut short just hours before the tournament begins, confirming that he has retired from international soccer."As announced, I will be stepping away from the World Cup squad," he wrote on social media. "Since my injury, I've done everything I possibly could up to this point, so I have no regrets whatsoever."Of course, there's frustration at not being able to participate in this World Cup, but more than that, I'm proud of how we've grown together since the Qatar World Cup — me as captain, leading this team and turning our goal of "winning the World Cup" into something we can say as a matter of course."The current team is truly a wonderful team.

I believe they will overcome any adversity and show us sights we've never seen before. With this campaign, I will be retiring from the national team."So from here on, I'll be cheering for the Japan national team as one of the fans.

The moment when the Japan national team wins the World Cup will surely come someday."Let's believe in that and cheer them on together. And let's unite Japan's strength as one so that moment comes in this tournament — everyone, let's take on the North and Central America World Cup together!!