Three members of the current squad - Kenta Misao, Yuma Suzuki and Koki Anzai - were part of the 2018 winning squad and with Gaku Shibasaki and Naomichi Ueda returning to Kashima after spells abroad, Endo believes his former team are ahead of Japan’s other representatives - Vissel Kobe, Kashiwa Reysol, Kyoto Sanga and Gamba Osaka - in terms of experience and quality to win the title.

“Out of the five Japanese teams in the competition, I believe Kashima have the biggest chance to win the title,” said Endo to the-AFC.com.

“We still have players who played in the 2018 final so they have the experience and nous of what it takes to win this competition. If things fall into place, there’s no reason why Kashima can’t win it again.”

As an attacking midfielder in his playing days, Endo scored 46 goals in 304 league appearances for Kashima, with Shibasaki his partner-in-crime in, and it delights the Sendai-born to see the 34-year-old returning to the club after six years spent in Spanish football.

“At his age, he’s still going very strong. When he returned from Spain, he chose Kashima and it makes me very happy to see him come back to the club.

“At first it was difficult because he had injuries but now he’s looking to be better than he ever was. Gaku is a very calm player and you can see how smartly he plays the game.”

The same reverence is paid to head coach Toru Oniki, who arrived at the club in 2025 after seven incredible trophy-laden years with Kawasaki Frontale that included four league titles and three domestic cups.

It was easy for Endo to see just why Oniki was able to achieve league success in his very first season with Kashima.

“Oniki is a great coach and sometimes I wish that I was still a player because I would have liked to play under his guidance. His tactical knowledge is outstanding but more than that, his personality is very warm and friendly. It makes the players feel that they want to play for him.”

A serial winner with Kashima, the 2018 continental triumph was just the tip of the iceberg for Endo with four league titles, three Emperor’s Cups and three J-League Cup successes in the bag.

Japanese teams have reached the final in each of the last four editions, with Endo believing it is down to the improvements done off the pitch.

“One of the reasons why Japanese teams have been able to reach the final is their capability to defend, which traditionally is one of our strong points. All Japanese teams these days put a lot of emphasis into the preparation work, the analysis.

“That’s where we have improved and it shows in the performance with teams able to defend as a unit and contain sides from the West that are on - paper at least - supposedly the stronger sides. Also, the J-League provides a lot of support to the teams competing in the AFC Champions League Elite, so that helps too.”

Endo, however, admits the centralised Finals and financial strength of teams from the West have made winning the title a tougher challenge.

“It’s difficult for Japanese teams to be champions these days given the financial strength of teams in the West who can invest heavily in players that traditionally play in strong European leagues.

“With the tournament being played in a centralised format in the West, it also makes things extra difficult. We cannot underplay the importance of having large fan support.

“So if more and more fans can make it over there to give their support, we could see Japanese, Korean or Chinese teams potentially winning it.”