CELIA SASIC announced her retirement from football yesterday to finish studying, just weeks after finishing top scorer at the Women’s World Cup.

Sasic scored six goals in Canada, joint with United States’ Carli Lloyd, and helped Germany on their way to a semi-final finish.

But the 27-year-old has opted to go back to university as well as starting a family with her husband.

She said: “Football is my passion. Football has accompanied me all my life and always will be a part of me. For 11 years I was able to experience unforgettable moments in the Bundesliga and over 10 years in the German women’s national football team and be part of an incredible development. That makes me proud.

“Nevertheless, I have now decided to go a new way and my career has come to an end in professional football. I now have a whole lot of new things in front of me. Finish my studies, pursue my career, raise a family and much more.”

National team manager Silvia Neid said: “I regret the decision of Celia, but can also understand, because football is not everything in life and there comes a time where you have different priorities.”