Soccer: Japan soccer player Homare Sawa retires

Soccer: Japan soccer player Homare Sawa retires

File photo taken January 2012 shows Japan's midfielder Homare Sawa posing for photos with her trophy after winning the Women's World Player of the Year for 2011. The 37-year-old Sawa, currently with INAC Kobe Leonessa, announced her retirement from soccer on Dec. 16, 2015. She tied the knot with former Vegalta Sendai player Hiroaki Tsujikami in August. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sawa's husband and former Sendai player Tsujikami

Sawa's husband and former Sendai player Tsujikami

Former Vegalta Sendai player Hiroaki Tsujikami meets reporters in Sendai, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 12, 2015, after former Women's World Player of the Year Homare Sawa, 36, announced her marriage to Tsujikami earlier in the day. Tsujikami, 38, who now works in player development for Sendai, said he especially loves Sawa's smile, although he is attracted to many other things about her. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Soccer: Sawa describes husband as "manly"

Soccer: Sawa describes husband as "manly"

Japanese professional soccer player Homare Sawa beams as she speaks about her husband after her club team INAC Kobe Leonessa's training session in Kobe, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2015. Sawa, 36, said her 38-year-old husband and former Vegalta Sendai player Hiroaki Tsujikami is a "manly man who doesn't lie and has a strong sense of responsibility." (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Soccer: Sawa describes husband as "manly"

Soccer: Sawa describes husband as "manly"

Japanese professional soccer player Homare Sawa smiles with flowers when she met reporters after her club team INAC Kobe Leonessa's training session in Kobe, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2015. Sawa, 36, said her 38-year-old husband and former Vegalta Sendai player Hiroaki Tsujikami is a "manly man who doesn't lie and has a strong sense of responsibility." (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Soccer: Sawa describes husband as "manly"

Soccer: Sawa describes husband as "manly"

Japanese professional soccer player Homare Sawa (R) gives autographs to fans as they congratulate her on her marriage after her club team INAC Kobe Leonessa's training session in Kobe, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2015. Sawa, 36, told reporters the same day her 38-year-old husband and former Vegalta Sendai player Hiroaki Tsujikami is a "manly man who doesn't lie and has a strong sense of responsibility." (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sawa's husband and former Sendai player Tsujikami

Sawa's husband and former Sendai player Tsujikami

Photo shows former Vegalta Sendai player Hiroaki Tsujikami. Former Women's World Player of the Year Homare Sawa, who plays for INAC Kobe Leoness, announced on Aug. 12, 2015 her marriage to Tsujikami. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo