Aujourd’hui est ta dernière danse.
Toi qui nous as tant donné.
Nous aurions dû t’offrir une meilleure fin, mais nous avons échoué.
Mettre des mots sur ce que tu as apporté pendant 14 ans est très difficile, tant tu as été un acteur majeur du renouveau de cette équipe. Les gens n’ont pas toujours su apprécier ta grandeur, mais le temps et l’histoire s’en chargeront…
Merci de m’avoir donné la chance et l’opportunité de représenter mon pays sur la plus grande scène pendant tant d’années.
Je me sens privilégié d’avoir pu être aux côtés de l’une des plus grandes légendes de notre pays, et je ne garde que d’excellents souvenirs de tout ce que nous avons vécu et accompli ensemble.
Je te souhaite le meilleur dans ta nouvelle aventure, et encore merci pour tout ce que tu as apporté à ce maillot qui compte tant pour nous.
👑
🚨Virgil van Dijk on Japan players displaying Wataru Endō’s jersey after the 2-2 draw against the Netherlands at the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
🗣️ “That moment after the final whistle showed exactly why football is more than just a game.
Seeing the Japanese players display Wataru Endō’s jersey was powerful.
It showed unity, respect and the strength of their dressing room.
I know Wataru personally and I know what he means to Japanese football.
He’s a leader, a fighter and someone who gives everything for his country every single time he steps onto the pitch.
Whether he was on the field or not, his presence was felt throughout the match.
You could see the team playing for something bigger than themselves.
That’s one of the reasons Japan are such a difficult team to play against.
They work for each other, they sacrifice for each other and they never stop believing.
The gesture from the players was a reminder of the respect they have for Endō and everything he has done for Japanese football.
As opponents, we respect that.
As footballers, we understand that.
It was a special moment and one that showed the values football should always represent.”
{@TNTSportsUS }