Marta (footballer)

Marta

Marta with the Gold Pride in September 2010
Personal information
Full name	Marta Vieira da Silva
Date of birth	February 19, 1986 (1986-02-19) (age 25)
Place of birth	Dois Riachos, Alagoas, Brazil
Height	5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Playing position	Forward
Club information
Current club	Western New York Flash
Number	10
Youth career
1999	Centro Sportivo Alagoano
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2000–2002	Vasco da Gama
2002–2004	Santa Cruz
2004–2008	Umeå IK	103	(111)
2009	Los Angeles Sol	19	(10)
2009–2010	→ Santos (loan)	14	(26)
2010	FC Gold Pride	24	(19)
2011	Santos
2011–	Western New York Flash	14	(10)
National team‡
2002–	Brazil	72	(80)
Honours Competitor for  Brazil Olympic Games - Women's Football Silver 2004 Athens Team Competition Silver 2008 Beijing Team Competition Pan American Games - Women's Football Gold 2003 Santo Domingo Team Competition Gold 2007 Rio de Janeiro Team Competition
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of May 16, 2010. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 3 July 2011

Marta Vieira da Silva (born February 19, 1986 in Dois Riachos, Alagoas), commonly known as Marta, is a Brazilian female football forward who plays for the Western New York Flash of Women's Professional Soccer. She is also a member of the Brazil women's national football team.

She has been named FIFA World Player of the Year five times (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010) and was the inaugural winner of that award's successor, the FIFA Ballon d'Or, in 2010. She was a member of the Brazilian National Teams that won the silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and 2008 Summer Olympics. She was also awarded the Golden Ball (MVP) at the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship. In the 2007 Women's World Cup, she won both the Golden Ball award as the best player and the Golden Boot award as the top scorer. She also tops the all–time Women's World Cup goalscorer list alongside Birgit Prinz. She is widely regarded as one of the best female soccer players of all time.

Club career

Vasco da Gama

Marta was discovered by well-known Brazilian female coach, Helena Pacheco, when she was just 14 years old. Marta went on to play and live at the training facilities of the prestigious Rio de Janeiro football club, Vasco da Gama, for two years until the club ceased operation of its women's professional team in 2001. In 2002 she played for a small club in Minas Gerais which folded at the end of the season.

Umeå IK

Marta joined Umeå IK prior to the 2003–2004 season during which Umeå reached the final of the UEFA Cup, winning 8–0 on aggregate against Frankfurt with Marta scoring three goals over the two-legs. In the league, despite amassing a total of 106 goals, which was 32 more than the Champions, Umeå finished second, beaten by a single point by Djurgården. Marta scored 22 league goals, and also got on the scoresheet at the cup final against Djurgården, scoring the only goal in a 2–1 Umeå loss.

Her second season (2004–2005) ended with Marta scoring 21 goals and with Umeå winning the league, having gone undefeated. Once again, Umeå were beaten by Djurgården in the cup losing by a score of 3–1 in the final; thus revenging a 7–0 league defeat to Umeå some three weeks earlier.

In 2005–2006, Umeå once again won the league without losing, and Marta, as in the previous year, was the league's top scorer with 21 goals. Umeå cruised to a 11–1 aggregate win over Norwegian side Kolbotn FK in the UEFA Women's Cup, with Marta scoring twice in both matches. For the third time in a row, she was on the losing side in the Swedish cup final when her side were defeated 3–2 by Linköpings FC.

Marta in the 2009 WPS All-Stars match against Umeå IK.

The 2006–2007 season was a relatively successful for Umeå with the club winning both the league, in which they finished nine points ahead of Djurgården,^[1] and the Swedish Cup, beating AIK 4–3 in a match in which Marta scored a hat-trick, the last (winning) goal coming three minutes from time. Marta scored 25 goals in the league finishing one goal behind the top scorer Lotta Schelin.^[2] In the UEFA Women's Cup they reached the final for the fourth time but suffered a disappointment, losing 1–0 on aggregate to Arsenal.

The 2008 season saw Umeå and Marta win another Swedish championship title. After the end of the season, speculation arose concerning the future of Marta and a couple of months later, on the day of the FIFA World Player of the Year Awards in January 2009, Marta announced that she would play for the American side Los Angeles Sol for the next three years.^[3] At the request of Marta, the Los Angeles side also purchased Johanna Frisk from Umeå IK,^[4] which lead to an accusation from Swedish TV4 sports presenter Patrick Ekwall that Marta and Frisk were a homosexual couple.^[5] The accusation was strongly denied by both players.^[6]

Marta's life and football prowess was depicted in the 2005 Swedish Television documentary "Marta — Pelés kusin" ("Marta, cousin of Pelé").

Los Angeles Sol

The day Marta received the 2008 World Footballer of the Year award she announced that she would be joining Women's Professional Soccer team Los Angeles Sol under a three year contract.^[7][8] Marta was the league's top scorer for the 2009 season during which the Sol were regular season champions and reached the WPS Championship Final, which it lost to Sky Blue FC by a score of 1-0.

Santos

During the off-season with Los Angeles Sol, she signed a three-month loan contract with Santos to play in the Copa Libertadores and in the Copa do Brasil.^[9][10] helping her club win both competitions, and scoring a goal in the Libertadores final and two in the Copa do Brasil final.^[11][12]

FC Gold Pride

In January 2010, the Sol ceased operations^[13] and the rights to Marta and her teammates were made available in the 2010 WPS Dispersal Draft. The rights to Marta were acquired by the FC Gold Pride as their first pick in the ensuing 2010 WPS Dispersal Draft.^[14] She appeared in all of the Pride's 24 games and scored 19 goals, earning her the WPS MVP and WPS Golden Boot for the second year in a row. Marta also appeared in the WPS All-Star 2010, where she captained one of the teams as the top international vote-getter. She led the Gold Pride to the regular season championship and had two assists and a goal in the WPS Championship against the Philadelphia Independence, earning MVP honors.^[15] She became a free agent after the Gold Pride folded on November 17, 2010.

Santos

In December 2010 Marta signed at Santos again to play in the Copa Libertadores and in the Copa do Brasil.^[16]

Western New York Flash

On January 25, 2011, Marta joined her third WPS team in three years, the expansion team Western New York Flash, who took over the third year of her contract with the Gold Pride.^[17] Marta's 2 goals and 4 assists were a key part to the 3-0-1 start for the team's 2011 season.

Western New York Flash forward Marta helped her team to the Regular Season Championship title, scoring her tenth goal of the season in a 2-0 victory over the Atlanta Beat on Sunday, en route to earning her third consecutive PUMA Golden Boot award. The Brazilian soccer star edged out fellow Flash forward Christine Sinclair, in the tie breaker having a greater production rate based on goals per game average.^[18]

International career

On July 26, 2007, Marta and the Brazilian women's team beat the US U-20 National Team to win the Pan American Games at the famous Estádio do Maracanã in front of a crowd of 68,000. She was compared, by the Brazilian fans, with Brazilian great Pelé, being called "Pelé with skirts." Even Pelé himself agreed with the comparison. Marta has stated that he called her to congratulate for the win and that she was extremely happy to hear that one of the greatest ever players followed her team's games.^[19] Afterwards the imprint of her feet was recorded in cement at the stadium, making her the first woman to be so honoured.

Marta participated in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup with Brazil who strolled through the group stage, winning all three games with Marta scoring four goals. In the quarter final Brazil won 3–2 against Australia with Marta netting from the penalty spot. In the semi-final Marta scored twice as Brazil won 4–0 against the United States—the second goal scored in spectacular fashion. In the final Brazil lost 2–0 to Germany. Marta had a penalty kick saved midway through the second half, which would have tied the match. She finished the 2007 Women's World Cup as the winner of both the 'Golden Ball' as the top individual player and the 'Golden Boot' as the competition's top scorer with seven goals.

Marta wearing the Brazil number 10

Marta also played in the 2008 Summer Olympics, earning a silver medal. After her personal duel in the final with United States goalkeeper Hope Solo, a 1–0 defeat consigned Marta to her third consecutive runners–up medal in major international tournaments.^[20]

Marta was part of the Brazil team at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup where Brazil was eliminated by the United States in the quarter finals. She recorded four goals and two assists in the tournament, to move joint top of the all–time Women's World Cup goalscorer list alongside Birgit Prinz on 14.^[21] It also earned her the Silver Ball as the tournament's second leading goal scorer. From her first touch in the tournament against Australia, Marta was heavily jeered by local and opposing fans. Many in the media saw this treatment as a reaction to her perceived unsporting play, especially in the quarterfinal against the United States.^[22][23][24]

Honours

Club

Umeå IK

• Damallsvenskan: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
• Svenska Cupen: 2007
• UEFA Women's Cup: 2003–04

Santos

• Copa Libertadores de Fútbol Femenino: 2009
• Copa do Brasil de Futebol Feminino: 2009

FC Gold Pride

• WPS Championship: 2010

Western New York Flash

• WPS Championship: 2011

National Team

• Pan American Games: 2003, 2007
• Sudamericano Femenino: 2003, 2010

Individual

• FIFA World Player of the Year - Winner (5): 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
• FIFA World Player of the Year - Runner-up (1): 2005
• Copa Libertadores de Fútbol Femenino Golden Ball (1): 2009
• Damallsvenskan Top Scorer (4): 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008
• Damallsvenskan Best Forward of the Year (2): 2007, 2008
• U-20 World Cup Golden Ball (1): 2004
• FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Ball (1): 2007
• FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Shoe (1): 2007
• Women's Professional Soccer MVP (2): 2009, 2010
• Women's Professional Soccer Golden Boot (3): 2009, 2010, 2011
• Women's Professional Soccer Championship MVP (1): 2010
• Sudamericano Femenino top-scorer: 2010
• Sports Illustrated Top 20 Female Athletes of the Decade (2000–2009) (#7)^[25]

Personal life

Marta has three siblings, José, Valdir, and Angela. Her parents are Aldário and Tereza. As of 2010, she lives in San Jose and is a competent Swedish speaker. On October 11, 2010 Marta was named a UN goodwill ambassador.^[26]

References

1. ^ "Tabell och resultat - Damallsvenskan" (in Swedish). svenskfotboll.se. Svenska Fotbollförbundet. http://www.svenskfotboll.se/t3damre.aspx?p=1408601&scr=table&ftid=643. Retrieved 2009-01-13. 
2. ^ "Skytteliga 2007" (in Swedish). svenskfotboll.se. Svenska Fotbollförbundet. http://www.svenskfotboll.se/t2dam.aspx?p=287911. Retrieved 2009-01-13. 
3. ^ Wåhlin, Johan (2009-01-12). "Marta bäst i världen - flyttar till LA" (in Swedish). dn.se. http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=647&a=873009. Retrieved 2009-01-13. 
4. ^ "Martas krav till USA: Ta med Frisk" (in Swedish). Fotbollsexpressen.se. 2008-10-23. http://www.fotbollsexpressen.se/Internationell%2Bfotboll/1.1343544/martas-krav-till-usa-ta-med-frisk. Retrieved 2009-04-07. 
5. ^ "Ekwalls rekord" (in Swedish). Arbetaren.se. 2009-01-02. http://www.arbetaren.se/articles/kultur20090120-4. Retrieved 2009-04-07. 
6. ^ "Frisk: Vi är inget par" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet.se. 2009-01-13. http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotbollsbladet/sverige/damallsvenskan/article4172741.ab. Retrieved 2009-04-07. 
7. ^ "The Fabulous Forum". Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/01/brazilian-stand.html. 
8. ^ http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=991996.html
9. ^ Adilson Barros (August 1, 2009). "Peixe anuncia Marta, que deverá receber a camisa 10 das mãos de Pelé" (in Portuguese). GloboEsporte.com. http://globoesporte.globo.com/Esportes/Noticias/Times/Santos/0,,MUL1251318-9874,00-PEIXE+ANUNCIA+MARTA+QUE+DEVERA+RECEBER+A+CAMISA+DAS+MAOS+DE+PELE.html. Retrieved August 5, 2009. 
10. ^ womensprosoccer.com; International Report: WPS Stars Head Overseas in the Off-Season
11. ^ "'Sereias da Vila' dão show e Santos é campeão da Libertadores" (in Portuguese). iG. October 18, 2009. http://esporte.ig.com.br/futebol/2009/10/18/sereias+da+vila+dao+show+e+santos+e+campeao+da+libertadores+8865945.html. Retrieved December 2, 2009. 
12. ^ "Santos bate Botucatu e conquista a Copa do Brasil feminina" (in Portuguese). Estadão. December 1, 2009. http://www.estadao.com.br/noticias/esportes,santos-bate-botucatu-e-fatura-a-copa-do-brasil-feminina,475189,0.htm. Retrieved December 2, 2009. 
13. ^ foxnews.com; Los Angeles Sol of WPS folds after first season
14. ^ "Four-Time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta to Join the Pride". FC Gold Pride. 4 February 2010. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/bayarea/news/general/100204-dispersal-draft-results. Retrieved 1 April 2010. 
15. ^ "Marta named MVP of 2010 WPS Championship". 2010-09-27. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/news/general/100927-marta-champ-mvp.aspxs. Retrieved 2010-09-29. ^{[dead link]}
16. ^ estadao.com.br; Santos confirma acerto com Marta por dois meses, 9 December 2010
17. ^ womensprosoccer.com; Western New York Flash acquire Marta; January 25, 2011
18. ^ "Flash Forward Marta Captures Third Consecutive PUMA Golden Boot Award". svenskfotboll.se. womensprosoccer. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/news/press_releases/110815-puma-golden-boot2011.aspx. Retrieved 2009-01-13. 
19. ^ GloboEsporte.com > Pan2007 > Futebol Pan2007 - NOTÍCIAS - Pelé diz que Marta é Pelé de saias
20. ^ "US women hope Solo keeps Brazil’s Marta from finding the net". Al Arabiya. 2011-07-10. http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/07/10/156992.html. Retrieved 2011-09-06. 
21. ^ "Recap: Brazil vs. United States". http://www.kansascity.com/2011/07/10/3005451/recap-brazil-vs-united-states.html. Retrieved 2011-07-10. 
22. ^ "Boos for Marta bemuse Brazil coach Lima". AFP. 2011-07-10. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gzpgy1H_NC_-LjrNHgwJakEJanaA?docId=CNG.011479171ac142806e7888ecf0eeb397.151. Retrieved 2011-07-10. 
23. ^ "Solo soars as Marta is jeered". St Petersburg Times. 2011-07-10. http://www.tampabay.com/sports/solo-soars-as-marta-is-jeered/1179856. Retrieved 2011-07-10. 
24. ^ "Marta, Brazil come up short again". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/sports/sns-tsn-cyn-keeble-column-20110711,0,7245830.story. Retrieved 2011-07-12. 
25. ^ Lawrence, Andrew (December 22, 2009). "2000s: Top 20 Female Athletes". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/magazine/specials/2000s/12/19/top.female.athletes/index.html. Retrieved 2009-12-29. 
26. ^ "Brazilian star Marta to be UN goodwill ambassador". SI.com. October 11, 2010. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/10/11/marta.un.ap/index.html. Retrieved 2010-10-12. 

• "Marta Vieira da Silva", n°23 on Time’s list of "100 Olympic Athletes To Watch"
• Sokolove, Michael. "Kicking Off," The New York Times Magazine, Sunday, April 5, 2009.

External links

• Marta (footballer) – FIFA competition record
• Official website
• WPS profile

Preceded by Birgit Prinz

FIFA World Player of the Year 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

Succeeded by Incumbent

Persondata
Name	Silva, Marta Vieira da
Alternative names	Marta
Short description	Football (soccer) player
Date of birth	February 19, 1986
Place of birth	Dois Riachos, Alagoas, Brazil
Date of death
Place of death