10 Things You Didn’t Know About Marta Vieiera da Silva

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Marta Vieiera da Silva

She presently plays forward for the Brazil national team and for the Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States. She is widely recognized as the best female soccer player of all time. A skilled player with a reputation for her dribbling skills and a prolific goal scorer. Marta was the 2006–10 and 2018 World Player of the Year champion, earning six trophies from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

In March 2022, Marta tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee, but she recovered completely and has since been a regular player for the Orlando Pride in the NWSL. She is anticipated to be in top physical condition and prepared for the World Cup, which starts on July 20, 2023.

1. Marta Is The UN Women Goodwill Ambassador For Women and Girls In Sports

United Headquarters Headquarters- Geneva. John Samuel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Marta Vieira da Silva, a Brazilian soccer player, is the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador for Women and Girls in Sport. As she is known, Marta wants to encourage women and girls to defy expectations, surmount obstacles, and pursue their goals, especially those in sports. Marta is considered as the greatest female soccer player of all time and is an inspiration to many. For the past six years, she has been named the Best FIFA Women’s Player. Marta recently visited the UN Women offices in New York and gave a speech there about her origins, sources of inspiration, and aspirations for the future as a goodwill ambassador for the group.

2. She Began Her Career Kicking Abandoned Deflated Footballs

Deflated Football. Photo by Guillaume de Germain on Unsplash

Being unable to play football with her male peers due to her gender, Marta began honing her skills as a young child by kicking abandoned deflated footballs and homemade balls made out of wadded shopping bags through the streets of her small town. When she was 14 years old, a scout from Rio de Janeiro’s renowned men’s football club Vasco da Gama, who was looking to launch a women’s squad, came across her while she was playing for a local boys’ junior team that she eventually joined. She then engaged in female athletics, first with Vasco, which disbanded a few years later, then with Santa Cruz in Brazil, before joining Ume IK in Sweden in 2004.

3. She Helped Umea Win The Women’s Champions League Twice

Trophies. Photo by Ariel on Unsplash

Marta first gained widespread recognition while representing Ume a team that she helped win the Women’s Champions League in 2007 and 2008 and reach the finals of the UEFA Women’s Cup in 2004. Marta also helped Ume win the Swedish Cup in 2007 and four straight Damallsvenskan championships from 2005 to 2008, Sweden’s top women’s football league. Marta led the league in goals for three straight seasons (2004, 2005, and 2008) while playing for Ume, scoring an impressive 111 goals in 103 league games.

4. She Rose To Prominence While Playing For The Brazillian National Team

Brazil Women’s Team 2015.Laslovarga, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Marta became known as the best female footballer of her time mostly due to her accomplishments while playing for the Brazilian women’s national team. She played in her first game of international football in 2002 while playing for Brazil’s under-20 Women’s World Cup squad. She joined the senior national team the following year, and at the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where Brazil was ousted in the quarterfinals, she scored three goals. She guided Brazil to a second-place finish at the 2007 Women’s World Cup and earned the Golden Boot for her seven goals during the competition.

5. Marta Became The First Footballer To Score Five Straight Goals In The Olympics

Marta also assisted Brazil in winning silver medals at the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008 and Athens in 2004. She became the first football player to score in five straight Olympics at the 2020 Tokyo Games, which were contested in 2021 because to the COVID-19 epidemic. Brazil, however, fell in the quarterfinals.

6. Marta Holds The Record As Brazil’s Leading Scorer

With 115 goals, Marta holds the record as Brazil’s leading scorer. Marta also holds the record for most goals scored in the women’s FIFA World Cup with 17 goals. She was also the first female footballer to score at five straight Olympic Games, a distinction shared by Christine Sinclair in 2019 and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2022. She was also the first player of either gender to score in five World Cup editions.

She competed on the Brazilian national teams that took home the silver medal at the Summer Olympics in 2004 and 2008. Aside from winning the Golden Ball (MVP) at the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship in 2004, she also took home the Golden Boot (Top Scorer) trophy at the 2007 Women’s World Cup after helping Brazil advance to the championship game.

7. She Was Chosen As One Of The Six Ambassadors For The 2014 FIFA World Cup

Along with Amarildo, Bebeto, Carlos Alberto Torres, Ronaldo, and Mario Zagallo, she was chosen as one of the six ambassadors for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil in January 2013. She also had an appearance in the 2013 season of the Sveriges Television documentary series The Other Sport. Marta was one of the eight people chosen to carry the Olympic flag during the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August 2016. As an advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals, she was chosen by the UN Secretary-General. 17 advocates were chosen to assist in achieving the 17 SDGs, which are global goals created in the hopes of improving the world.

8. Marta Is Known For Her Flair, Quick Feet, and Exceptional Skill With The Ball

Marta is known for her flair, quick feet, and exceptional skill with the ball. She has been compared to Ronaldinho, Romário, and Pelé, who herself called her Pelé with skirts. Marta is a small, quick, yet sturdy and tenacious player who is widely regarded as the greatest female footballer of all time. Marta is renowned for her vision, technical ability, and pace when dribbling quickly.

9. Marta Is Capable Of Playing In A Variety Of Offensive Positions

Marta is capable of playing in a variety of offensive positions. She started her career in an offensive midfield position as a traditional number 10, but she was later used in more advanced roles, including as a supporting forward, a main striker, or even on the wing, which allows her to cut into the middle and shoot on goal with her stronger left foot.

Marta is a prolific goal scorer who is famous for her striking abilities. Although she is generally noted for her creativity, opportunity creation, and advanced playmaking skills, Marta is also accurate from penalties and set pieces. Marta has distinguished herself for her leadership qualities in addition to her football skills.

10. She Holds Dual Citizenship

Marta was granted Swedish citizenship in March 2017. She kept her Brazilian citizenship, but as Brazil had previously given it to her, it did not qualify her to represent Sweden. She received a U.S. green card in February 2021, establishing her as a permanent resident and making her eligible for the NWSL squad as a domestic player.

Brazilian soccer sensation Marta Vieira da Silva has won the hearts of millions with her extraordinary abilities and accomplishments. Marta’s journey, from her modest beginnings to become the all-time highest scorer in World Cup history, is a monument to the everlasting passion and tenacious spirit that drive the beautiful game.