In a Wednesday news conference occasionally interrupted by tears, Vissel Kobe striker David Villa announced his decision to retire after the end of the current J. League season.
The 2010 World Cup winner has spent the twilight of his career globetrotting since establishing himself as one of the world's top strikers with Spain's Valencia and Barcelona.
Villa set out abroad after winning his country's domestic title with Atletico Madrid in the 2013-14 season, joining Australia's Melbourne City for a short stint followed by four impressive years with Major League Soccer's New York City FC.