5 of the greatest Asians to have never played in Europe
In modern times, it is not at all strange to see the best talents from Asia plying their trade in the European game. Players such as Shinji Kagawa and Heung-Min Son are drawn to Europe to test themselves against the best in the world.
That wasn’t always the case (and still isn't in some instances). In the past, many of Asia’s best spent their entire careers on their own continent, largely unknown to the outside world. Some, such as the powerful South Korean striker Cha Bum-Kun, named the best Asian player of the 20th century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), still made it to Europe, but it wasn’t the norm.
Here are five of the greatest Asians to have never played in Europe.
#1 Yasuhito Endo
The only 21st century player on this list, and the only currently active one also, Yasuhito Endo has become a hero at club and international level without ever leaving his native Japan.
A skilled passing midfielder, and wicked free-kick taker, he sat at the heart of the national team midfield for over a decade, as part of a side who qualified for three World Cups between 2006 and 2014, and won Asian Cup titles in 2004 and 2011.
He is Japan’s record caps holder, having made 152 appearances - 30 more than any other player.
At club level, Endo is a living legend at Gamba Osaka, for whom he has made over 500 appearances since joining from Kyoto Purple Sanga in 2001. An AFC Champions League triumph in 2008, followed by a third-place finish at that year’s Club World Cup, is the highlight of a strong list of honours.
The now 37-year-old was named Asian Footballer of the Year in 2009.