100 of the Most Influential Women in Sport >> Athletes

Marta, Brazil

Football

The wearer of Brazil’s hallowed No10 shirt carries special resonance. For As Canarinhas (Female Canaries), this sense of reverence has been heightened by the fact its holder for approaching two decades stands as, arguably, the greatest talent to ever play in the women’s game. Marta is a small and sturdy forward, yet one blessed with exceptional grace and inspirational leadership. Hers is also a story of perseverance, rising many stratospheres above taunts from her small town that girls should not play football. The 33-year-old’s sustained brilliance is documented by the fact her sixth FIFA World Player of the Year/The Best FIFA Women’s Player gong was claimed in 2018, nearly a decade since she won five in a row from 2006-10. She will also be looking to add to her leading tally of 15 World Cup goals when play gets under way in France during June. Marta was also named a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador in October 2010, with a scan of her Instagram account showing how importantly she takes the position as a powerful advocate of women’s rights to her 1.1 million followers.

– 2018’s victory at Sudamericano Femenino was the fifth international trophy won by her with the senior Brazil women’s team.

– Marta has played 30 matches at World Cups and Olympics, scoring 22 times.

– From 2004-18, she didn’t finish in the top three of the FIFA World Player of the Year/The Best FIFA Women’s Player voting just once – during 2015.

Did you know…

Marta became the first woman to have the imprint of her feet made at the immortal Estadio do Maracana in the wake of July 2007’s Under-20 Pan American Games victory.

“For me, it’s a great honour to be a Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women. I am here to use my story to inspire many more girls and women and to create opportunities so that next generation doesn’t have to go through what I did.” – Marta (Source: UN)

Instagram: martavsilva10