Kumagai rose to international prominence when she was part of the Japan team that won the 2011 World Cup. She made the switch to Europe after that tournament, joining German giants Frankfurt, before being poached by Lyon just two years later.
The defensive midfielder helped Lyon, who had won Champions League titles in 2011 and 2012, re-establish their European dominance and was a crucial part of the side that won five in a row.
Kumagai played a decisive role in the 2016 Champions League final | Marco Luzzani/Getty Images
Kumagai herself particularly shone in the 2016 final against Wolfsburg, scoring both the winning penalty in the shootout and being named player of the match.
Female legends share secrets of post-playing successes Friday 16 April 2021
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Some of the leading lights of women’s football met online this week to discuss the development of the game and how the UEFA MIP Alumni can play a role in helping players adjust to life after football.
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A host of high-profile names from women’s football have met to discuss the game’s development and the role of the UEFA MIP Alumni in helping players to forge new careers once they have hung up their boots.
The conference, which featured Nadine Kessler, Tatjana Haenni and Kelly Simmons, who are currently working at UEFA, the Swiss Football Association and The Football Association respectively, focused on how women in leadership positions can help to further accelerate development in the women’s game.