Happy Birthday, Captain!
Wataru Endo turns 30 today. The Japanese has been with VfB for three and a half years and has been wearing the bandage since summer 2021. After initial difficulties, Endo has long been an integral part of Stuttgart as a midfield ace.
VfB sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth (43): “Wataru is very important to us with his footballing qualities and his mentality. He leads the way as a captain in training and in the game.”
In BILD, LegENDO talks about his three greatest moments at VfB.
Endo’s first starting eleven (24.11.2019): After moving to VfB in the summer of 2019, Endo has a difficult time under coach Tim Walter (47). He only makes his first appearance from the start on the 14th matchday – in the derby against Karlsruhe of all places. VfB wins 3-0, Endo dominates in midfield:
“That was an important game for me. But it was even more important for the club and the fans because it was a derby,” said the midfielder. Remarkable: Endo has been seeded since November 24, 2019 and has only missed four (!) league games to date.
Promotion to the Bundesliga (06/21/2020): After the 6-0 victory in Nuremberg on the penultimate day of the 2019/2020 season, promotion to the Bundesliga is not yet finally sealed, but with plus 11 goals on Heidenheim it is almost certain.
Endo: “Although there were no fans in the stadium, it was an amazing feeling. On the way home to Stuttgart there was a great atmosphere in the bus.” In the following season, VfB achieved a strong ninth place.
Last minute goal to avoid relegation (05/14/2022): Endo scored in the 92nd minute on the last day of the pre-season to win against Köln, and his VfB shot to stay up! The Mercedes-Benz Arena is raging, after the final whistle the fans storm unleashed onto the pitch.
“For me, this is the greatest experience of my career as a club footballer. The dramaturgy of the game and the atmosphere in the stadium were unbelievable. I will never forget celebrating with the fans after the game.”
And Endo hopes that the current season will have a similarly happy ending for VfB.
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