Zhang announced an unexpected retirement from the game in 2017, shortly after she helped Shanghai win gold in that year's National Games. With fans and media left lamenting the disappointing decision which seemingly brought a promising career to an abrupt and premature end, the Shanghai-born player, now a mother, stunned even her own supporters by making a comeback in early 2019.
"I returned to playing probably because my life belongs to the football pitch," the 29-year-old told FIFA.com. "[After getting married and giving birth to a baby] I found I still love football so much. The game brings tremendous joy to me." .....
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