Yuki Nagasato first broke her retirement news by telling media, and supporters, of how long it had taken for her to reach this decision: ‘…But today, I stand here with an open and peaceful mind.” While these words might not immediately seem significant to many in soccer world, Yuki Nagasato announced her departure after 20 seasons playing NWSL soccer – an announcement with far reaching implications in her retirement decision for this premier female league league stalwart who made history during that period.
Yuki Nagasato made her retirement announcement through an emotive post on her Instagram page featuring both an emotional letter to fans as well as snapshots from memorable moments during her illustrious career in women’s soccer spanning Europe, North West Soccer League (NWSL) and international for Japan. This announcement included several clubs from Europe as well as NWSL alongside notable successes achieved both domestically and abroad with Japan. The announcement included special carousel post with touching letter and snaps capturing some special memories throughout her playing career and international achievements by Japan alongside achievements on various clubs in Europe as well as international stage by Japan; its national side; notable achievements came through an international team made up of players from multiple clubs in Europe alongside notable achievements achieved domestically by Japanese national teams across various clubs in Europe along with achievements achieved both domestically as well as on an international stage, both clubs in European league play-offs competition. Yuki made this decision through Instagram post including an emotional carousel post filled with photos featuring memorable memories through snapshots capturing memorable moments throughout her career along with heartfelt letters addressed directly from fans along with pictures to her fans from fans along with heartfelt letters written directly addressed from fans along with snaps taken directly from Instagram post featuring heartfelt letters written directly into fans’ mailboxes along with letters written directly by way of special post carousels posted through this special carousels post from her fans from Japan!.
The carousel began with a graphic featuring Nagasato wearing each jersey she donned throughout her career, prominently featuring “Thank you, football. 2005-2025.” Subsequent messages expressed her profound thanks to fans and teams she played for over the years; acknowledging with emotion her diminished passion and energy for professional footballing while exuding an immense sense of fulfillment, having given it all in that sport until its very last moment.
Sam Kerr and Sarah Gorden joined together in honoring Nagasato’s legacy by saying their final farewells, leaving no doubt as to her lasting mark on women’s soccer and its development as a whole. While her retirement marks an end of an era, her contributions and influence will certainly live on in women’s soccer for generations yet unborn.