When star Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup, Japanese striker Ichika Egashira packed her bags and got on a plane to the other side of the planet to play in her idol’s native country. Egashira — the first professional soccer player from Japan to debut in the Argentine league — is part of a growing phenomenon of foreigners who feed local first division clubs, attracted not so much by money but by their great soccer players and a passionate fan base. (AP Video: Yesica Brumec)

Argentina becomes mecca for foreign female footballers

When star Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup, Japanese striker Ichika Egashira packed her bags and got on a plane to the other side of the planet to play in her idol’s native country. Egashira — the first professional soccer player from Japan to debut in the Argentine league — is part of a growing phenomenon of foreigners who feed local first division clubs, attracted not so much by money but by their great soccer players and a passionate fan base. (AP Video: Yesica Brumec)