Homare Sawa

Homare Sawa is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward and midfielder. Her club career spanned 24 seasons, mostly with Nippon TV Beleza and INAC Kobe Leonessa. With Sawa as captain, the Japan national team won the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, with Sawa receiving both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot. Regarded as one of Japan's greatest ever female footballers, Sawa was named the 2011 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year, becoming the first Asian person of any gender to receive a major year-end individual football award. She also led Japan to the silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics.