All the great teams have them: Tenacious goal scorers that come up big in important moments, boasting prowess and profile in equal measure.
But it’s not just about the iconic goals and eye-catching trickery — just as crucial to the acclaim of such players is a commonly shared backstory of ambition and perseverance fueled by a burning desire to succeed at the very highest level.
Nadeshiko Japan and Utah Royals striker Mina Tanaka amply fits this categorization. The 30-year-old has always been a player of high renown within the Japanese women’s soccer sphere, but it is her team’s recent triumph at the SheBelieves Cup in February that has elevated her global status to new heights.
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