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." .....
＞＞READ MORE "AFC Official Site"
![10MA TOPICS! [JAPAN FA] SAMURAI BLUE U-24日本代表との対戦を3-0で勝利](https://image.eaff.com/index/6067.jpg)
![10MA TOPICS! [HONG KONG FA] 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification-Iran 3:1 Hong Kong](https://image.eaff.com/index/6066.jpg)
![10MA TOPICS! [CHINESE TAIPEI FA] [Asian Qualifiers] Group B: Nepal defeat Chinese Taipei for crucial three points](https://image.eaff.com/index/6065.jpg)
![10MA TOPICS! [GUAM FA] [Asian Qualifiers] Asian Qualifiers Group A moved to UAE neutral venue](https://image.eaff.com/index/6064.jpg)
![10MA TOPICS! [CHINA FA] [Asian Qualifiers] China PR's Li Tie applauds Wu Lei's performance in Asian Qualifiers win against Guam](https://image.eaff.com/index/6063.jpg)
![10MA TOPICS! [GUAM FA] Matao fall to China in Asian Qualifiers centralized tourney opener](https://image.eaff.com/index/6062.jpg)
![10MA TOPICS! [CHINA FA] [Asian Qualifiers] Group A: China PR waltz past Guam to stay on track in Asian Qualifiers](https://image.eaff.com/index/6060.jpg)
![10MA TOPICS! [JAPAN FA] Moriyasu hails players after win over Myanmar takes Japan through to third round of Asian Qualifiers](https://image.eaff.com/index/6059.jpg)
![10MA TOPICS! [JAPAN FA] [Asian Qualifiers] Group F: Perfect Japan cruise past Myanmar to confirm Asian Qualifiers' third round berth](https://image.eaff.com/index/6058.jpg)