At the 2020 Tokyo Games—which were held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic—she became the first football player to score a goal in five consecutive Olympics; Brazil, however, lost in the quarterfinals. In April 2024 Marta announced that she would retire from international play following that year’s Games in Paris. There she helped her country advance to the championship match, but Brazil was defeated by the United States, 1–0. Marta (born February 19, 1986, Dois Riachos, Brazil) is a Brazilian athlete who is widely considered the greatest female football (soccer) player of all time.

Women Pioneers—World Football

Marta was awarded the Golden Boot as the top scorer and the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament, solidifying her status as the world's best female footballer. Marta also helped Umeå capture four consecutive Damallsvenskan (Sweden’s highest level of women’s domestic football) championships between 2005 and 2008, as well as a Swedish Cup title in 2007. Marta scored a remarkable 111 goals in 103 league games during her five seasons with Umeå as she led the league in goals over three seasons (2004, 2005, and 2008).

International career

Her natural ability to control the ball, her speed, and her vision on the field quickly set her apart. Marta left Europe in 2009 to sign with the Los Angeles Sol of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS). Marta was named WPS Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2009, but the struggling Los Angeles franchise folded, and she moved within the WPS to join the FC Gold Pride of Santa Clara, California. She led the Gold Pride to a WPS title (taking home a second league MVP award) in 2010, and she won a second WPS championship in 2011 as a member of the Western New York Flash. During the WPS offseasons in 2009 and 2010, Marta played with Santos FC in her home country.

World Football

At the 2019 Women’s World Cup, she scored her 17th World Cup goal, best free porn videos making her the all-time World Cup goal scorer in both men’s and women’s competitions (a record formerly held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose), but Brazil was eliminated in that event’s round of 16. The 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup in China was a defining moment in her career. Despite Brazil's 2-0 defeat, Marta's individual brilliance was evident throughout the tournament. She scored seven goals, including a stunning solo effort against the United States in the semifinals, which was later voted as the best goal of the tournament.

As Marta continues to play at the highest level, her legacy continues to grow. She remains a key figure in the Brazilian national team and continues to inspire her teammates and fans with her performances. Her impact on the sport will be felt for generations to come, and she will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the greatest footballers in history. In 2015, Marta took a stand against the unequal treatment of women's football when she was announced as one of the nominees for the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award. During the awards ceremony, she wore a pair of boots without a sponsor's logo, symbolizing the lack of endorsement deals and financial support for female players.
"The most recent thing I’ve started to talk about - and something that I’ve wanted for a long time - is to become a mother. I don’t know how long I’ll carry on playing – I don’t want to say one or two years, but I would absolutely love to end my career as a mother. One of Marta's most significant records came during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France. In Brazil's group stage match against Italy, Marta scored her 17th World Cup goal, surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose to become the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history (men's or women's). This historic achievement highlighted Marta's consistency and longevity at the highest level of international football.
Marta's sixth and final Women's World Cup ended in despair beyond her "worst nightmares" as Brazil failed to reach the knockout stage in Australia and New Zealand. She competed in the singles qualifying of the Tashkent Open, seeded No. 4, and defeated Viktoriya Karmenova, and in the second round Lyudmyla Kichenok. Sirotkina competed in the $25k Foxhills event on 11 July 2011, seeded fifth.
In 2018, she won the award for the sixth time, further cementing her legacy as one of the greatest footballers in history. Marta's impact on the field was undeniable, and her style of play, characterized by her dribbling ability, creativity, and goal-scoring prowess, drew comparisons to some of the greatest male players, including Pelé. Her influence extended beyond Sweden, as she quickly became a global icon in women's football. She has been a trailblazer for women's football, helping to raise the profile of the sport and inspire the next generation of female footballers. Her success has challenged the stereotypes and barriers that have historically limited opportunities for women in football, and she has been a powerful advocate for gender equality in sports. Beyond her technical skills, Marta's leadership and work ethic have set her apart.
"Twenty years ago, nobody knew who Marta was at my first World Cup. Twenty years later, we have become a reference for many women all over the world, not only in football," Marta added. "The only old one is me, most of them [her team-mates] are young girls with enormous talent, it's just the beginning for them.