Jürgen Klopp on Japan players displaying Wataru Endō's jersey after the 2-2 draw against the Netherlands:
🗣️ “I won't lie, that moment touched me. Football can be a beautiful game, but sometimes it can also be incredibly cruel. Seeing Endō miss the World Cup because of injury broke a lot of hearts, including mine.
When I saw the players holding up his shirt after the game, I got emotional. That wasn't a celebration of a draw. That was a group of teammates telling one of their brothers, 'You're still here with us.'
People only see the matches, the goals, and the results. They don't see the sacrifices players make every day. Endō worked for years to be on this stage, and having it taken away from him at the last moment is something no footballer ever wants to experience.
What made it special was how genuine it felt. Nobody told them to do it. It came from the heart. You could see how much respect and love they have for him.
Moments like that remind you that football is bigger than trophies and points. It's about relationships, loyalty, and standing beside people when they need you most.
I can only imagine what Endō felt watching from home. Pride, sadness, happiness all at the same time. But one thing is certain: he would have known that his teammates were playing for him.
And honestly, if Japan keep showing that kind of unity and heart, they can surprise a lot of people in this tournament. Because teams with that level of togetherness are capable of something special.”
🚨Thierry Henry on Japan honoring Wataru Endō after their 2-2 draw with the Netherlands at the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
🗣️ “To be honest, this is why football is different from any other sport in the world.
People will talk about the goals.
People will talk about the 2-2 draw.
But the image that will stay with me is that Wataru Endō shirt.
Football can be beautiful, but it can also be cruel.
Imagine dedicating your entire life to representing your country at a World Cup and then having that dream taken away by injury just before the tournament begins.
That is heartbreaking.
When I saw the Japanese players holding up his shirt, I didn’t just see a gesture.
I saw a team playing for one of their own.
I saw loyalty.
I saw brotherhood.
I saw players telling a teammate, ‘You may not be on the pitch, but you’re still with us.’
Those moments cannot be coached.
They come from the heart.
And that’s why they mean so much.
People always ask what wins football matches.
Sometimes it’s tactics.
Sometimes it’s talent.
But sometimes it’s emotion.
Sometimes it’s playing for something bigger than yourself.
Japan showed that tonight.
Every run, every tackle, every duel felt like they were carrying Endō with them.
And let me tell you, teams that have that kind of connection become very dangerous.
Because when eleven players are fighting for each other and for a shared purpose, they can achieve things nobody expects.
Tonight wasn’t just a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands.
It was a reminder of what football is really about.
And that’s why this game will always be special.”
{@MailSport }