Japan’s World Cup Winner Yuki Nagasato Retires from Football
Japanese footballer Yuki Nagasato, a former World Cup winner who made history in 2020 by briefly signing on loan for a men’s team, has announced the end of her 24-year professional career at the age of 37.
The forward earned 132 caps for Japan, including the 2011 World Cup, where she came on as a substitute in the final as Japan defeated the United States to claim the biggest prize in women’s football.
Nagasato wrote on Instagram: “For 30 years, since the first time I kicked a ball, football has been my whole life. I challenged myself, learned from every win and loss. The journey was not always easy, but every moment had meaning. Retirement was not an easy decision, but I am excited for what comes next.”
Throughout her career, Nagasato played for clubs in Japan and Germany—where she won the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Turbine Potsdam in 2010—before moving to Chelsea in England. She then spent eight seasons in the U.S. with Chicago Red Stars, Racing Louisville, and Houston Dash.
During her time with the Red Stars, inspired by Megan Rapinoe’s campaign for gender equality in football, Nagasato returned to her hometown to play five matches for her brother’s team, Hayabusa Eleven, in Japan’s second division.
She stated: “I wanted to show that women can also play in men’s teams. I want to help create a society where there are no limits based on gender or race.”
Nagasato, who also won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, scored 58 goals for Japan, making her the country’s second-highest all-time scorer, behind Homare Sawa (83 goals).
The Japan Football Association released a statement saying: “Thank you, Nagasato, for all the inspiring moments in Japanese football.”
