The winner of the 2014 FIFA World Player of the Year Award, Germany captain Nadine Kessler, has been forced to retire at the age of 28 because of a recurring knee injury. The Wolfsburg midfielder had been sidelined since September 2014. Widely recognised as one of the best players in the world within the women’s game, Kessler helped Germany to the UEFA Women’s Euro 2013 title and captained Wolfsburg to back-to-back Champions League crowns.