【Exclusive Interview】Momoko Tanigawa, 20: The Nadeshiko Japan Star Who Always Calls Her Dad Before Every Game

Inspired by Homare Sawa

“I was so moved when I saw Nadeshiko Japan win the 2011 World Cup! I thought, ‘Wow! I want to be like them!’ That moment was the starting point of my soccer journey,” says 20-year-old Momoko Tanigawa, her eyes shining.

Now a defensive midfielder attracting global attention, Tanigawa was only six years old when Nadeshiko Japan lifted the World Cup trophy. Among the players who dazzled on TV, she was especially captivated by the team’s captain, Homare Sawa (47).

After graduating from high school last year, Tanigawa crossed the sea to pursue her dream. Since January, she has been playing for German powerhouse Bayern Munich. Her biggest weapon is her powerful shooting ability — rare even among Japanese players.

“I’m confident in my long kicks and shooting accuracy. What I focus on most is preparation before receiving the ball. I try to read the situation around me, position myself well, and if I see a gap, I’ll take the shot without hesitation. At the moment I shoot, I think I’m pretty calm.”

As a grade schooler, she trained in the Nagoya Grampus academy, competing alongside boys — even serving as captain. From junior high onward, she left her hometown to train full-time at the JFA Academy Fukushima.

“I was completely obsessed with soccer… It was simple: if there was a place where I could get better, I wanted to go there. So I wasn’t really anxious about leaving my family to go to Fukushima.”

Having immersed herself in soccer since childhood and risen all the way to Germany’s top division, Tanigawa now has a reliable advisor she can always count on.

“I always call my dad before every match. He’s constantly watching footage of our opponents, so he gives me specific advice — and that often sparks great ideas.”

That fatherly advice gave her a perfect assist in last year’s group-stage match against Brazil at the Paris Olympics. Entering the game in the 80th minute, Tanigawa scored a dramatic 35-meter winning goal during stoppage time.

“Before the match, my dad told me, ‘The opposing keeper tends to come off the line, so don’t hesitate to shoot from distance.’ So I went for the long shot. My parents were in the stands that day, so right after I scored, I ran straight toward the crowd to celebrate with them.”

Behind the thunderous goal that thrilled fans at the Paris Olympics lay the powerful bond between father and daughter. But Tanigawa insists she’s not exactly a daddy’s girl.

“Haha, I guess people might think that after hearing this, but honestly, I usually call my mom more. With my dad, it’s just about soccer — with my mom, I talk about everyday stuff,” she explains with a cool smile. That seems to be their natural balance.

The True, Down-to-Earth Side of a 20-Year-Old Tanigawa

It’s been nearly a year since Tanigawa began living alone in Munich. Having overcome the language barrier, she says she’s recently found several new hobbies.

“I’m really into saunas. There’s one at the clubhouse, so I go about three times a week. I like the Finnish-style ones with a medium-high temperature of around 60–80°C and high humidity, where you can really relax. I originally started because I heard it was good for injury recovery, but now I enjoy it purely as a hobby.

Also, there’s a café nearby that I love. I often go there with my teammates, and we just chat for hours. Recently, matcha has become a trend within the team. They’ve even asked me to bring some back as souvenirs when I return to Japan. The mugs at that café are really cute, so I’ve started collecting them too.”

Off the pitch, Tanigawa enjoys her life in Munich like any ordinary 20-year-old girl. When asked about romance, she answers honestly: “I like dependable, athletic types. If he’s younger, that would mean he’s still a teenager, so maybe someone my age or older.”

Of course, at the center of her life right now is soccer. She’s determined to reach the top of the world — the dream she swore to chase as a little girl.

“I absolutely want to win the next World Cup! I’ll keep working hard to become the best player in the world as soon as possible.”

That powerful long-range shot of hers may once again lift Japan to the top of the world — and in two years’ time, we might just see that moment come true.

From the October 3-10, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”