In mid-2011, women’s football changed forever. The Japan national team won the World Cup in Germany in an epic campaign captained by Homare Sawa.

That generation of the ‘Nadeshiko’ proved that precise passing, discipline and an understanding of the game could overcome physically superior opponents.

However, the retirement of the key figures from that World Cup left a huge void in Japanese women’s football.

It was time to start afresh and find a player capable of taking up the baton and upholding Japan’s identity in modern football.

The heiress

Fifteen years on from that World Cup feat, we can say that Japan has found the perfect heir: Yui Hasegawa.

Established as the driving force behind Manchester City and nominated for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, the midfielder has kept the essence of her country’s football alive.

But who is Yui Hasegawa really?

The paradox of 1.57 metres in the most physical league

In 2021, the arrival of a Japanese footballer in the British WSL raised more questions than it provided answers.

The English league is renowned for being physical and intense. There, physical confrontation and athletic prowess often make all the difference.

However, standing at just 1.57 metres tall, Yui Hasegawa dispelled any preconceptions from her very first matches with West Ham.

From her early days in Japanese football, the 29-year-old stood out as a traditional creative attacking midfielder. She was the one responsible for the final pass.

Rather than going head-to-head with opponents who towered over her, she relied on her tactical intelligence and orchestrated play with composure.

Her ability to receive the ball in tight spaces, turn on a sixpence and read the game allowed her to dominate the creative zone without relying on physical strength.

From classic playmaker to defensive midfielder

Years later, she moved to Manchester City, where she was at the centre of a tactical transformation rarely seen at the highest level of European football.

The Manchester side’s tactical system led to her being converted into a defensive central midfielder.

“People see me as an attacking player, but I also want to be recognised for my defensive work and my unpredictability,” she told Sky Sports.

This transformation allowed her to become a complete player, technically sound and capable of playing a key role in both attack and defence.

She has even stated that her role models on the pitch are Ronaldinho and Andrés Iniesta, two stars who revolutionised the game.

Today, Hasegawa dictates the tempo for Manchester City, wins the ball back thanks to her exceptional positional sense and distributes the ball with impressive precision.

She is the prime example of an all-round midfielder in modern football.

Sawa’s legacy and the conquest of Asia

That footballing maturity reached its peak with the Japan national team.

By leading the ‘Nadeshiko’ to the title at the 2026 Asian Cup, Hasegawa honoured the legacy of Homare Sawa and restored her country to the top of the continent with a masterclass in class and team play.

Shining every weekend in the demanding English league with City and being crowned Asian champion with her country rounded off a perfect season.

Her nomination for the 2026 ‘Ballon d'Or’ recognises her year, but also honours the player who demonstrated that tactical intelligence remains key in world football.