Homare Sawa (37) recently participated in her sixth FIFA Women’s World Cup™ with Japan, reaching the final in Canada four years after lifting the prestigious trophy at Germany 2011, where she was awarded the adidas Golden Ball and Golden Shoe awards. Later that year, the all-action attacking midfielder was named FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year. In addition, she starred at four Women’s Olympic Football Tournaments, picking up a silver medal at London 2012, and she triumphed at the 2014 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, the 2010 Asian Games and the 2008 and 2010 East Asian Football Championship. At club level, Sawa made her name at Atlanta Beat in the United States, before winning eight Japanese League titles, six Empress’ Cups and a Japanese League Cup with Beleza. After a spell at Washington Freedom, the two-time AFC Player of the Year returned to Japan to enjoy a second stay with Beleza followed by a successful stint with Kobe Leonessa, where she added five national trophies to her CV.