38 years of age and he’s dropping hat-tricks at a World Cup like it’s the most straightforward thing you’ll see. Lionel Messi, the greatest to ever play the game.

Rafael van der Vaart on Japan players displaying Wataru Endō's jersey after the 2-2 draw against the Netherlands national football team: 🗣️ “I have played football my entire life, and moments like that remind you why this sport means so much to people. When I saw Endō's shirt hanging on the bench and his teammates holding it after the game, it genuinely touched me. We spend so much time talking about tactics, formations, and results, but sometimes football gives you something far more powerful. It gives you moments of humanity. Imagine working your whole career for one final World Cup, only for injury to take it away days before the tournament begins. Then imagine watching your teammates refuse to let the world forget you. That's special. What struck me most was that Japan didn't do it for cameras or headlines. You could see the emotion on their faces. It came from the heart. The 89th minute equalizer was incredible, but I honestly think the image of Endō's shirt will be remembered longer than the goal itself. Some moments are bigger than football. As an opponent, you almost have to respect it. You could see that this team isn't just playing for themselves anymore. They're carrying the dream of a teammate who should have been standing beside them. That's what makes Japan dangerous in this tournament. Not just their quality, but their unity. They look like a team willing to suffer for each other until the very last second. And if I'm Endō watching from home tonight, I probably have tears in my eyes. Because no trophy, no medal, and no speech can replace the feeling of knowing your teammates haven't forgotten you.”

🇯🇵 A Cruel End for Japan’s Warrior Captain Some footballers leave their mark with tricks, headlines and highlight reels. Wataru Endo left his with honesty, courage and an unfashionable devotion to the team. The moment he limped out of Liverpool's season at Sunderland, the fear was immediate. You watched a player who would willingly put himself in harm's way for the cause, and you wondered whether the price had finally become too high. Sadly, it has. There's something particularly cruel about a captain being denied his final World Cup. Endo had earned that stage. He'd earned the armband. He'd earned the chance to lead his country one last time before passing the torch. The reaction from supporters tells its own story. Not of a global superstar, but of a footballer held in genuine affection wherever he has played. People speak of a warrior, a professional, a man of character. Those aren't empty compliments. They're the tributes reserved for players who make others better, who carry responsibility without complaint and who never ask for applause. Football increasingly celebrates the spectacular. Endo belongs to an older tradition. He wins duels, covers ground, protects teammates and accepts the hard work that allows others to shine. Every successful side needs players of his kind, even if they rarely occupy the headlines or match reports. Japan will miss him. The game will miss him too. A fine footballer, a respected captain and, by all accounts, a thoroughly decent man. His is a career worth saluting. YNWA Wata 🔥

Almost my Entire timeline full of Wataru Endo love ❤️

We are all with you Endo ❤️

Remembering DDay 🙏

Welcome to the Reds, Andoni 👋

World Cup schedule is awful Who’s watching footy at 3am

Francesco Totti: "The best player I faced? Steven Gerrard. A Champion! An example! He would be captain of my World XI dream team." Lionel Messi: "I think Gerrard is England's greatest ever player." Arsene Wenger: "He was a fantastic player who had the qualities that every midfielder dreams of. He scored goals, he could pass. He had commitment and motivation." Kaka: "For me, and I have always said this, Gerrard will be regarded as one of the greatest midfielders ever when he finishes his career. No doubt." Thierry Henry: "I find it a disgrace that he didn't win European Footballer of the Year in 2005 after Istanbul. For me, he is one of the best ever. Whenever you play Liverpool you know you have to get him out of the game. If not, it's all over for you." Patrick Vieira: "The best midfielder I would say is Steven Gerrard. I really rate him as a player and a man." Wayne Rooney: "The best player I'd played for England with? I'd have to say Stevie. For me he is an incredible player, an incredible leader. He helped me a lot during my early days with England." Paul Scholes: "Who was better - me or Gerrard? I can answer that. Gerrard. Gerrard's a great player. I wouldn't be able to do what he did at Liverpool." Zinedine Zidane: "I have said in the past that at his peak he was the best in the world. I think it was the summer of 2004 I was having a conversation with Florentino (Perez) and I told him I wanted him to partner me in midfield for Madrid." Andrea Pirlo: "That night in Istanbul, Liverpool's fight back was centralised on Steven Gerrard. He was their leader, their star player, their man who made it happen." Pele in 2007: "For me, for the last five years Gerrard has been the best player in the world."

We are all with you, Kevin ❤️

Chiesa seeing Slot leaving the training ground

People saying Konate is easily replaceable are beyond clueless. He's a world-class, title-winning CB who has spent most of his career covering RB & RCB and sacrificing himself for the skipper.

What the hell are they doing to this club

For me, Wataru Endo is the best in the world 🫡

This save from Cheisa is really not talked enough.

Insane effort from so many particularly those on the south coast

Doubt many placed that bet at the start of the season 😂

Lovely to see Wataru back in the squad