One of the greatest female soccer players of all time has decided to move on from the sport.

Homare Sawa, a member of Japan's International Team since 1993 and captain of the team since 2011, has decided to retire at the age of 37. 

“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 according to The Japan Times.

Sawa was a member of six FIFA World Cup and four Olympic teams. Her greatest accomplishment came in 2011, when she lead Japan to a Women's World Cup victory. That championship run included an upset victory over the United States in the title game, where Sawa scored an equalizing goal in extra time to put Japan into a shoot out against the heavily favored Americans. Sawa would end up being the top goal scorer of the tournament. Sawa was named the FIFA Women's World Player Of The Year in 2011, and continued her solid international play in 2012, when she lead Japan to a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics. Sawa would lead Japan back into the World Cup finals in 2015 in a rematch against the United States, but the US would avenge their loss from four years prior. Sawa would also lead Japan to two East Asian Championships, an Asian Games Gold Medal, and an AFC Women's Asian Cup Championship. Sawa was also instrumental in moving Japan past the previous Asian powerhouse China as the best team in the region.

Sawa, however, was more than just an international player. She has played in Japan's L.League since 1991, and has lead her club to two Nadeshiko.League Cup Championships in 2007 and 2013. She was named the league MVP in 2006 and 2008, and made an all star roster eleven times in her career. She also played in the United States - three years as the captain of the Atlanta Beat of the ill-fated Women's United Soccer Association, and one season as a member of the Washington Freedom in 2009. She also played part time for the Freedom in 2010.

Sawa is wildly regarded at the greatest female soccer player in Japanese history. Many players, both in Japan and around the world, have expressed their admiration for Sawa and her career.

“She was a great person both on and off the pitch,” said Sawa’s former Beleza and Japan teammate Eriko Arakawa. “It feels as if a part of the history of women’s soccer is coming to an end and it’s sad. It was great to live the same time and play soccer together.”

Yuki Ogimi, one of the top scorers for Japan and Sawa's international team mate since 2004, said on Twitter“I feel only gratitude. She overcame many barriers and difficulties to blaze a historic trail for women’s soccer.”

Even her former opponents were quick to compliment Sawa. On Twitter, American midfielder Megan Rapinoe said "Legend. Thank you Sawa San for teaching myself and the world the beautiful game. You will be missed."

Sawa has been good friends with American Abby Wambach for quite some time, and it should be no coincidence that Sawa announced her retirement the same day Wambach plays her final game.