Marta Vieira: The Greatest Ever Football Player
Marta Vieira da Silva, known globally as Marta is a six-time FIFA Player of the Year. Her exceptional skill, tenacity, and passion have transcended the sport, making her a symbol of excellence and resilience.
She is considered by many as the best female footballer in the world to ever play the beautiful game. That says a lot considering football has seen wonderful talents like Birgit Prinz, Abby Wambach, Christine Sinclair and Mia Hamm.
Recognizing her contributions is not merely about celebrating her individual achievements but also acknowledging her role in elevating women’s football on a global scale.
Early Life and Background
Marta Vieira da Silva was born on February 19, 1986, in Dois Riachos, a small town in the northeastern state of Alagoas, Brazil. She grew up in an economically disadvantaged area, and Marta faced numerous challenges.
Despite these hardships, her love for football was evident from a young age. Playing barefoot with makeshift balls, she honed her skills on the dusty streets, showcasing a natural talent that would soon capture attention.
Her family supported her passion, but societal norms often posed significant obstacles. In a country where football is predominantly seen as a male sport, Marta’s journey was fraught with obstacles, including limited access to proper training facilities and equipment.
Rise to Stardom
Marta’s ascent to football stardom began when she joined Vasco da Gama’s youth academy at the age of 14. Her prodigious talent quickly shone through, leading to her promotion to the senior team.
Some breakthrough moments in her early career included dazzling performances that left spectators and scouts in awe. Her stellar performances caught national attention including her matches in youth tournaments.
At these tournaments, she consistently outperformed her peers, demonstrating exceptional dribbling, speed, and vision. This period was crucial in building her reputation as a rising star in Brazilian football.
Marta Vieira’s International Career with Brazil
Marta started her international career with the Brazilian U19 women’s team. She led the Brazilian women’s team to victory over the US U-20 national team at the Pan American Games.
Her performances led to the Brazilian fans dubbing her “Pele with skirts.” The late footballing great Pele endorsed the comparison. Marta expressed her joy at receiving a congratulatory call from Pele and she became the first woman to have her footprints immortalized in cement at the stadium.
World Cup Debut
In the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Marta Vieira played a key role for Brazil. The team dominated the group stage, winning all three matches, with Marta scoring four goals. In the quarter-final, she scored a penalty, helping Brazil secure a 3–2 victory over Australia.
During the semi-final, Marta scored twice, including a spectacular second goal, leading Brazil to a 4–0 win against the United States.
However, Brazil lost 2–0 to Germany in the final, with Marta missing a crucial penalty that could have tied the match. Despite the loss, she won both the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player and the Golden Boot as the top scorer with seven goals.
Playing at the Summer Olympics
Marta Vieira played in the 2008 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal after a 1-0 defeat against the United States. Her defeat in the finals marked her third consecutive runners-up finish in major international tournaments.
In the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Brazil was eliminated by the United States in the quarter-finals. Marta scored four goals and made two assists, tying Birgit Prinz as the all-time top scorer in Women’s World Cup history with 14 goals.
She received the Silver Boot as the second-leading goal scorer of the tournament but faced significant jeering from fans throughout the competition.
Greatest Ever Goalscorer at the FIFA Women’s World Cup
At the 2015 World Cup, she became the all-time top scorer in the women’s tournament with 15 goals after she scored against South Korea. Despite her impressive performances, Brazil was eliminated by Australia in the round of 16.
During the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Marta further solidified her legacy by becoming the first player, regardless of gender, to score in five consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments.
She achieved this feat by scoring penalties against Australia and Italy, bringing her total goals to 17 and making her the leading goalscorer in the history of the World Cup. Brazil’s journey in the tournament ended in the Round of 16 after a defeat to hosts France.
Inspiring the Future Stars
Marta’s emotional post-match interview during the 2019 World Cup garnered widespread attention. In her plea to Brazilian girls, she urged them to carry on the legacy of ageing football legends like herself, Formiga, and Cristiane.
Marta Vieira emphasized the importance of valuing women’s football and encouraged perseverance, stating, “cry at the beginning so you can smile at the end.” Her impassioned speech resonated widely, going viral on social media platforms.
Marta Vieira’s Planned International Retirement
Continuing her remarkable career, Marta Vieira made history once again on July 21, 2021, by scoring twice in a 5–0 victory against China, becoming the first player to score in five consecutive Olympic Games.
Her achievements both on and off the field have cemented her status as one of the most influential and iconic figures in women’s football. Marta announced that she will retire from international football after the conclusion of the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Marta’s Club Career Highlights
Marta Vieira was discovered at age 14 by coach Helena Pacheco. She began her professional career with Vasco da Gama in 2000.
After two years with Vasco, she moved to Santa Cruz in Minas Gerais, where she played for two seasons. Marta then joined Umea IK in Sweden.
Playing for Umea IK in the Damallsvenskan
Marta joined Umea IK before the 2004 season, making an immediate impact by scoring three goals as Umea won the UEFA Cup final 8–0 on aggregate against Frankfurt.
In the league, despite scoring 106 goals, Umeå finished second, one point behind Djurgården. Marta contributed 22 league goals and scored in the cup final, although Umea lost 2–1 to Djurgarden.
In her second season, Marta scored 21 goals and helped Umea win the league undefeated. However, Umea lost to Djurgarden again in the cup final, this time 3–1, despite having beaten them 7–0 in a league match three weeks earlier.
Marta Vieira Wins Consecutive Top Scorer Award with Umea IK
Umea won the league undefeated, with Marta being the top scorer for the second consecutive year, netting 21 goals. They dominated Kolbotn FK in the UEFA Women’s Cup with an 11–1 aggregate win. Marta scored twice in each match. However, that season, Umea lost the Swedish Cup final 3–2 to Linkapings FC.
The 2007 season saw Umeå winning both the league and the Swedish Cup. They finished nine points ahead of Djurgarden in the league, with Marta scoring 25 goals, just one shy of top scorer Lotta Schelin.
Marta also scored a hat-trick in the Swedish Cup final against AIK, securing a 4–3 victory with her final goal three minutes from time. Despite reaching the UEFA Women’s Cup final for the fourth time, Umea lost 1–0 on aggregate to Arsenal.
Marta’s Final Season with Umea IK
During her final season with the club, Umea IK and their star player Marta won another Swedish championship title. After the season ended, there was speculation about Marta’s future.
In January 2009, on the day of the FIFA World Player of the Year Awards, Marta announced she would be joining the American team Los Angeles Sol for the next three years.
Marta Vieira’s American Adventure Begins
In January 2009, on the day she was named FIFA World Player of the Year, Marta announced her three-year contract with the Los Angeles Sol for the inaugural Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) season.
She expressed excitement about joining a league considered one of the world’s best. Marta ended the 2009 season as the league’s top scorer with ten goals and three assists. The Sol became regular season champions but lost the WPS Championship Final to Sky Blue FC.
During the off-season, Marta joined Santos on a three-month loan, competing in the Copa Libertadores and Copa do Brasil. She helped Santos win both tournaments, scoring in the finals of each competition.
Winning the Golden Boot and MVP
In January 2010, after the Los Angeles Sol ceased operations, Marta Vieira’s rights were made available in the WPS Dispersal Draft.
FC Gold Pride selected her as their first pick and Marta played in all 24 of Pride’s games, scoring 19 goals. Her performances earned her both the WPS MVP and the WPS Golden Boot for the second consecutive year.
She captained a team in the WPS All-Star 2010 match and led Gold Pride to the regular-season championship. In the WPS Championship, she scored a goal and made two assists, securing MVP honours.
Following the disbandment of Gold Pride on November 17, 2010, Marta became a free agent. On December 16, 2010, Marta signed a two-month contract with Santos, which had the potential to extend to a year.
Marta Vieira’s Third Golden Boot
On January 25, 2011, Marta joined her third WPS team in as many years, the Western New York Flash, who took over her contract from Gold Pride.
Her performance, with two goals and four assists, was crucial to the team’s strong 3–0–1 start to the 2011 season. Marta Veira helped the Flash secure the Regular Season Championship title by scoring her tenth goal in a 2–0 win over the Atlanta Beat.
This achievement led her to win her third consecutive PUMA Golden Boot award, narrowly surpassing teammate Christine Sinclair based on a higher goals-per-game average.
Marta Returns to Europe
In 2012, after the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league was cancelled, Marta Vieira returned to Sweden to play in the Damallsvenskan.
On February 22, 2012, she signed a two-year contract with Tyreso FF, with her substantial salary of approximately $400,000 per season funded by external sponsors.
Marta helped Tyreso win their first Damallsvenskan title in 2012, earning her fifth league winner’s medal. In the 2014 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final, she scored twice despite Tyresö’s 4-3 loss to Wolfsburg.
Later in 2014, Tyreso faced financial collapse, withdrew from the Damallsvenskan, and released all players. The Stockholm County Administrative Board revealed Marta was the highest-paid player, earning SEK 168,000 per month.
As news of Tyreso’s financial difficulties spread, Marta was linked with a transfer to Avaldsnes IL, though the club’s chairman noted she would need to accept a significant pay cut. Paris Saint-Germain Féminines also expressed interest in Marta Vieira and her teammate Caroline Seger.
In July 2014, Marta signed a six-month contract with FC Rosengard in Sweden. During her time there, she won the Damallsvenskan league title in 2014 and 2015, the Svenska Cupen in 2016, and the Svenska Supercupen in 2015 and 2016.
Playing for her Fourth American Club Side
Marta joined Orlando Pride on a free transfer after Rosengård’s quarterfinal loss in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. She signed a two-year contract with an option for a third.
In her first season, she was second in the league for goals and assists and was voted MVP by her teammates. The Pride finished third and made their first playoff appearance, losing in the semi-finals to Portland Thorns.
In 2022, Marta was named captain but suffered an ACL tear early in the season, ending her year. On October 2, 2023, she became the first player to make 100 appearances for the Pride.
In the first home game of the 2024 season, she scored a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw with Angel City, and later scored the winning goal against Utah Royals, marking Orlando Pride’s 200th goal.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Marta’s career is decorated with record-breaking achievements. She holds the record for the most goals scored in FIFA World Cups, a testament to her consistency and longevity at the highest level.
Winning the FIFA World Player of the Year award six times, more than any other player, male or female, highlights her unparalleled skill and influence. Marta Vieira is also the first footballer male or female to win the award five consecutive times.
Other significant records include being the first player to score in five different World Cup tournaments and achieving over 100 goals for the Brazil national team, cementing her legacy as a football legend.
Marta Vieira Playing Style and Skills
Marta’s playing style is all about her technical brilliance, creativity, and versatility. Her ability to manoeuvre through defences with ease, coupled with her precise finishing, makes her a formidable forward.
Marta Vieira’s vision and passing accuracy enable her to create opportunities for her teammates, showcasing her selflessness on the field. Her dribbling is often compared to that of Brazilian greats like Pele and Ronaldinho, marked by quick footwork and an uncanny ability to retain control of the ball.
Impact on Women’s Football
As a trailblazer and icon, Marta has significantly influenced the growth of women’s football globally. Her success has inspired countless young girls to pursue their dreams in the sport, breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes.
Marta has been a vocal advocate for equality and recognition in football, using her platform to push for better conditions and opportunities for female players worldwide.
Her role in campaigns for gender equality and her vocal support for initiatives that promote women’s sports have been instrumental in advancing the cause.
Marta Vieira’s Personal Life and Character
Off the field, Marta Vieira is known for her humility and dedication to helping others. Her philanthropic efforts include supporting community projects in Brazil, particularly those that provide opportunities for young girls to engage in sports.
Marta’s character is reflected in her resilience, having overcome numerous personal and professional challenges to reach the pinnacle of her sport.
Despite facing injuries and setbacks, she has always returned stronger, demonstrating an unyielding determination. Her off-field personality is as admirable as her on-field prowess, making her a role model for many.
Tributes and Testimonials
Tributes to Marta have poured in from fellow players, coaches, and fans alike. Many regard her as the greatest footballer ever, irrespective of gender.
Statements from legends like Pelé and Cristiano Ronaldo have praised her exceptional talent and contributions to the sport. Media outlets and football organizations have recognized her contributions.
She has received numerous honours, including the Order of Merit from the Brazilian government. Fans across the globe admire her not just for her skill but for the passion and joy she brings to the game, making her an enduring figure in football history.
Her trend-blazing part also played a significant role in paving the way for future talents like Sam Kerr, Asisat Oshoala, Mara Alber, Vicky Lopez, Ella Toone and Linda Caicedo.
Conclusion
Marta Vieira da Silva’s unparalleled career is a testament to her extraordinary talent, determination, and love for football. She is a beacon of excellence, inspiring future generations to strive for greatness.
Celebrating Marta’s contributions to football is not just about honouring her achievements but also about recognizing the profound impact she has had on the sport.
Her journey from the streets of Dois Riachos to the pinnacle of world football is a story of triumph and inspiration, deserving of the highest accolades.
As we reflect on her legacy, it becomes clear that Marta is not just the greatest female footballer, but one of the greatest footballers of all time, whose influence will be felt for many years to come.
