Japan’s iconic football star Yuki Nagasato announces retirement

Women’s World Cup winner Yuki Nagasato has announced her retirement from football, stating that she has given “every last drop” to the game.  

The 37-year-old Japanese striker, who was part of the historic 2011 World Cup-winning squad, ends a remarkable 23-year career that saw her play in Germany, England, the United States, Australia, and Japan.

Nagasato also made history in 2020 when she joined Hayabusa Eleven, an amateur men’s team in Japan, playing alongside her brother in a groundbreaking move for women’s football.

Nagasato said at the time the move was inspired by former US national team star Megan Rapinoe’s fight for equality, explaining that she “wanted to send a message to society”.

Nagasato played four games for the team, scoring no goals.

She said on social media that she was retiring with “a clear and peaceful mind”.

“I have decided to close this chapter of my career,” she wrote.

“I have given it my all and the final flame burned out — every last drop.”

Nagasato made 132 appearances for Japan, scoring 58 goals to become her country’s second-highest goalscorer behind Homare Sawa.

She won an Olympic silver medal with Japan in 2012 and the Champions League with German side Turbine Potsdam in 2010.

She also played in Europe for Chelsea, Wolfsburg and Frankfurt, before moving to the US in 2017.