Homare Sawa, the 2011 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year, announced her retirement from soccer on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old Sawa, the former Nadeshiko Japan captain and 2011 Women's World Cup top scorer and MVP, will hold a press conference on Thursday.

"She led women's soccer in Japan for many years, a great player who played in many World Cups and Olympics with the national side," said Japan manager Norio Sasaki.