Bayern Munich’s men’s team has never had a shortage of world-class wingers. From the legendary duo of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry to recent stars like Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry, and even Sadio Mané, the club has always been home to elite wide players. This summer, they bolstered their attack by signing Michael Olise from Crystal Palace, further strengthening their already stacked frontline.
But in a surprising turn of events, it’s not a men’s team player who has the internet buzzing—it’s someone from the Bayern Munich Frauen team. A recently uploaded clip by the club showed a young midfielder dribbling past defenders with the kind of silky ease that would make even prime Lionel Messi nod in approval. Naturally, fans had just one question: Who is this woman?
Let’s get to know Momoko Tanikawa, the teenage sensation taking the football world by storm.
Who is Momoko Tanikawa?
Momoko Tanikawa was born on May 7, 2005, in Aichi, Japan. Standing at 1.56 m (5’1”), she may not be the tallest on the pitch, but she more than makes up for it with her agility, balance, and technical ability.
Her footballing journey began at Nagoya Oceans, one of Japan’s top futsal clubs, before she moved to Nagoya FC Ladies to focus on 11-a-side football. Recognizing her immense talent, she was selected to join the prestigious JFA Academy Fukushima, a program designed to nurture Japan’s most promising young footballers.
She quickly stood out, excelling at youth international tournaments and earning a call-up to Japan’s U-17 national team, where she played a crucial role in the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, scoring in every game until the quarterfinals. Her performances also helped Japan secure the 2022 Asian Games title, cementing her reputation as one of the brightest young talents in women’s football.
With her rapid rise, European clubs took notice, and in January 2024, Bayern Munich swooped in to sign her.
Upon signing for the German giants, Tanikawa was full of excitement and stated,
I am excited and very grateful to be able to play for this great club in the future. I have known about Bayern since I was a little girl. And when the offer came in from Munich, I was so happy. I had other options, but when Bayern got in touch, it was a quick decision.
However, before she could make her Bundesliga debut, Bayern sent her on loan to Swedish giants FC Rosengård to gain first-team experience.
A Loan Spell to Remember
If Bayern Munich hoped that Tanikawa would develop in Sweden, she did far more than that—she dominated.
She got off to a flying start, scoring 10 goals in her first 9 league games. By the time her loan ended, she had amassed 16 goals and 3 assists in 20 games, a staggering return for a midfielder. That’s nearly a goal or assist every single game—insane numbers for a 19-year-old in her first season in Europe.
Her performances helped Rosengård lift the Damallsvenskan league title in 2024, and she was showered with individual accolades:
- Breakthrough Player of the Year (2024)
- Top Scorer (2024)
- Best Midfielder (2024)
- April 2024 Player of the Month
Being the league’s top scorer while playing as a midfielder? That’s special.
Back at Bayern: The Clip That Broke the Internet
After returning to Bayern Munich for the 2024–25 season, Tanikawa made an instant impact in training. In a now-viral clip posted by the Bayern Frauen official social media accounts, she was seen effortlessly gliding past multiple defenders with quick footwork and sharp turns, looking eerily similar to a young Eden Hazard.
The clip that had fans buzzing was from Bayern Munich Frauen’s DFB Pokal match against Eintracht Frankfurt, where Tanikawa scored in the 104th minute of extra time, helping Bayern seal a 4-1 victory. Fans, of course, lost their minds.
One fan joked:
Hold on now; we could use a winger like that in the men’s team.
This was a not-so-subtle dig at Bayern’s inconsistent wingers, particularly Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané, both of whom have faced criticism for their inconsistency. Even with Michael Olise now in the squad, some fans believe Tanikawa would be a better alternative than the current options.
Another said:
She’s moving like Musiala crazy; call her up for the men’s team!
Jamal Musiala is Bayern’s golden boy, known for his silky dribbling and elite close control. Comparing Tanikawa to him is no small praise—fans see her as a midfield maestro in the making, someone who could even match Musiala’s technical prowess.
Another fan went even further:
I watched the game yesterday. She played not long but like prime Eden Hazard. Much respect for her performance. I hope we get in the men’s team a second good winger with Olise, Kane, and Musiala—it would be a massive win.
This is perhaps the highest praise of all. Prime Hazard was unplayable, and if Tanikawa is even half as good as him, Bayern fans are in for a treat.
And then came one of the spiciest takes:
Momoko Tanikawa is a crazy baller, only 19 too. Shorty would easily start for us over Fatbry and Rocketman.
The nicknames “Fatbry” (for Serge Gnabry) and “Rocketman” (for Leroy Sané, referencing his inconsistency) have been used by disgruntled Bayern fans for a while. This fan is clearly frustrated with their performances and believes Tanikawa, at just 19, would be a better option than both.
Clutch Moments on the International Stage
Tanikawa’s brilliance isn’t limited to club football. She delivered a clutch moment for Japan in the 2024 Olympics.
Japan had lost their opening game to Spain and desperately needed a win against Brazil to stay in the tournament. But as the clock ticked down, they were 1-0 down and on the verge of elimination.
Then, in stoppage time, Tanikawa seized the moment. A misplaced pass fell to her feet, and rather than passing to a teammate, she trusted her technique and unleashed a rocket into the top corner, securing a dramatic victory for Japan.
Pressure? What pressure?
Tanikawa’s Style of Play: A Complete Midfielder in the Making
Tanikawa’s low center of gravity and quick acceleration make her a nightmare for defenders. At 5’1”, she has a natural agility that allows her to weave through tight spaces effortlessly, making her a dribbling specialist.
But she’s far from just a flair player. As seen in her stoppage-time winner against Brazil in the 2024 Olympics, she possesses a powerful shot and hits the ball with venom. She’s also an intelligent passer, showing great vision and the ability to control the tempo of a game.
Her goal-scoring numbers further highlight her well-rounded game—19 goal contributions in 20 matches during her loan spell proves that she’s not just about dribbling; she can create and finish chances as well.
With her technical ability, finishing, passing, and dribbling, she has all the tools to develop into a world-class midfielder.
What’s Next for Tanikawa?
With her breakout season in Sweden, her incredible technical ability, and the hype surrounding her return to Bayern, Tanikawa is on track to become a superstar.
Bayern Munich have a gem on their hands, and if she continues developing at this rate, she might just live up to the lofty expectations that fans have already set for her.
And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, one day we’ll hear “Momoko Tanikawa to Bayern Munich Men’s Team—Here We Go!” For now, though, all eyes will be on the Bundesliga to see if she can replicate her magic on German soil.
