Japan women’s football pioneer Yuki Nagasato retires after giving ‘every last drop’
The 37-year-old, part of the Japan team that lifted the World Cup in 2011, played for clubs in various countries – including a men’s team
Women’s World Cup winner Yuki Nagasato, who made history with a brief spell playing for a men’s team, said she had given “every last drop” as the Japanese striker announced her retirement from football.
The 37-year-old, part of the Japan team that lifted the World Cup in 2011, brought the curtain down on a 23-year career that saw her play in Germany, England, the United States, Australia and her home country.
That included a loan stint in 2020 with her brother’s team Hayabusa Eleven, an amateur men’s side playing in a regional league in Japan.
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”.