NXGN 2021: The 10 best wonderkids in women's football - Goal India

Maika Hamano may have only celebrated her 16th birthday two months before the Nadeshiko League kicked off, but she went on to start all but one of Cerezo Osaka Sakai’s games as they finished fourth last year.
Her clever movement saw her turn up in the right place at the right time on a regular basis too, racking up six goals in 18 appearances.
After showing her potential with Japan’s youth teams, with whom she top-scored at the 2019 AFC Under-16 Women's Championship as her country lifted the title, this was an exciting season that saw the teenager prove she can shine at senior level, too.
Cerezo Osaka Sakai will not compete in the new Women Empowerment League – Japan’s first fully-professional women’s league which launches later this year – but Hamano, who cites Lionel Messi as her biggest idol, is likely to be one of many picked up by those involved after her exploits in 2020.

Published On: Tue, 23 Mar 2021 12:00:00 GMT