There are players who can read a game. And there are players who can sense a game. Momoko Tanikawa can do both. Watching her brush her foot over the ball, luring it, turning, accelerating, is like a little moment of art in a game in progress. You realise straight away: she doesn't need time to show off her skills. Her talent is right there for you to see, in every first touch, in every movement that looks easy but is incredibly precise.
Her teammates at FC Bayern call her Momo - a nickname that perfectly suits this mixture of finesse, modesty and courage. The club has now secured her services until 2029. Anyone who watches her will understand why.
On the pitch: an ease that opens up games
Momo is just 20 years of age, but she already plays with the composure of someone who can rely on her ability. Her technique is fine, almost weightless, her dribbling is not loud but smooth. Comparisons with Jamal Musiala in the men's game are no coincidence: those short, quick movements, darting into tight spaces, suddenly popping up when there's hardly any space. For opponents, this sometimes seems like a bit of a puzzle. For spectators, it's like an invitation to take a closer look.
She moved to Munich in 2024 - with a clear plan. A loan spell at Rosengård was intended to help her mature physically and mentally. There, she exploded: 16 league goals, many of them typical of Momo: technically well prepared, cleverly finished, surprisingly inventive. Back in Munich, she hardly needed any time to settle in. Her performance in the cup against Eintracht Frankfurt, a nerve-wracking game, came to symbolise her impact: courageous, strong on the dribble, decisive. A close-knit affair that she opened up.
But anyone who only defines Tanikawa by how she is with the ball is missing half the story. Her voice when interviewed about extra time was calm, bright and friendly. No grand gestures, no pathos. When she said she was "so happy" about the extra time, it sounded like genuine gratitude. For the team that's welcomed her, for the atmosphere that sustains her. She describes the Bundesliga as "intense" and "high quality" - and you can sense how much she wants to continue to grow in the future. "I want to showcase my skills even more here," says the Japan international. And even this sentence doesn't sound like a goal, but more like a promise.
Momoko Tanikawa on her future goals with FC Bayern Women
FCB Women director Bianca Rech speaks about her with palpable warmth. There was "never any question" as to whether Bayern wanted to extend Momo's contract. Since her first day in Munich, they've seen how she can develop. When she recently shone in the Champions League against PSG, when she decided or took control of games, this impression was only confirmed. Rech says: "She gives us a lot of joy." And you can hear it: not just on a sporting level, but also as a person.
Rech stresses that she's not surprised by this development, as it all follows a clear structure. The loan to the robust, physically strong Swedish league was a conscious decision. The intention was for her to learn to withstand tackles, to use her body and to assert her technique in a tough environment. When she did that, Bayern knew she was ready for the next step in Munich. And Momo took it - faster than many would have expected.
Despite her tender years, she's long been more than just a talented prospect in the team. She's a central part of it, supported and led by experienced players like Pernille Harder, who give her guidance and allow her to grow. Rech stresses: "We're convinced she can become a really great player. " And when you watch Momo - the way she changes pace in tight spaces, the way she sees solutions others don't recognise - you immediately understand what she means. It's these unexpected moments. Special players just have something like that.
A calm character with a big impact
Off the pitch, she has a character that suits the Bayern family. Calm, respectful, open. Rech draws parallels with former Japanese players such as Saki Kumagai: "Japanese culture suits us very well." Momo has "contributed incredibly well", has become more open and has gained a lot of confidence. You can talk to her at any time. "A really, really great character," concludes Rech.
Momoko Tanikawa when asked about her favourite moment in an FCB jersey
Momo's own favourite moment? The win against Arsenal in the Champions League. "Something very special," she says, smiling softly. And last season, of course, when Bayern won the double of championship and cup for the first time. Again, she doesn't talk about herself, but about the team. About the pride in her teammates and the staff. About the ‘we’, not the ‘I’.
Perhaps it's precisely this mixture that makes her so valued: the gentle friendliness off the pitch and the fun sense of fearlessness on it. Her easy-going manner and the precision in her first touch. The calmness in her voice and the courage in her movements.
Tanikawa is a player who doesn't necessarily make FC Bayern louder, but better. Someone who opens up spaces, finds solutions, changes games. Someone who has made her mark and wants to write history. Until 2029. At the very least...
Tanikawa has agreed a contract extension with Bayern until 2029:
Video of the reaction to the contract extension:
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