Japan captain Wataru Endo has announced his retirement from international football just three days before his side's opening game against Netherlands.

The Liverpool midfielder, 33, suffered an ankle injury during a Premier League match against Sunderland in February which required surgery, and only returned to the bench for the last game of the season against Brentford last month.

This news will come as a shock to Japan's fanbase, with their talisman having managed to play half a game against Iceland on May 31 before being replaced after feeling discomfort.

At the time, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu had said: 'According to the medical reports, there is nothing to say he can't play. So we just believe, pray and wait.'

Announcing the news on social media, Endo wrote: 'As announced, I will be stepping away from the World Cup squad. 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!! Everyone, give it everything you've got'.

Endo, who will be replaced in the squad by forward Shuto Machino of Borussia Monchengladbach, was talking up hopes of Japan's chances at this summer's World Cup only two days ago, saying: 'We will do our best with pride and passion to achieve something we’ve never seen before in Japan’s soccer history.'

He departs the international stage with 73 caps and four goals to his name since his debut in 2015, and had worn the captain's armband since after the last World Cup in Qatar.

The Samurai Blues will also be missing big-name players Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino, who were left out of the squad for the tournament also due to injury.

Japan face Netherlands in Arlington in their Group F curtain-raiser (9pm UK), before they face Tunisia six days after and then Sweden on June 25. 

Which England star has 7 GCSEs? Who has lost half of his finger? Test your knowledge of Thomas Tuchel's squad with our exclusive quiz HERE.