Marta Viera da Silva: The Pele with skirts

Marta Viera da Silva is the most talented female football player the world has watched till now. Comparisons with Mia Hamm as the best player of women’s football, were inevitable after watching her phenomenal technique, dribbling and goal-scoring skills.

When Marta was growing up in Dois Riachos, a poor town in the north-east of Brazil, she was shy to even get on a soccer pitch as it was dominated by boys. She got her first break at the age of just 14 when Vasco da Gama signed her after being impressed by her performance.

At just 17, she signed for Swedish club Umea IK and she was the first Brazilian woman to play professionally in Europe. Marta has bagged FIFA World Player of the Year awards for five consecutive times. Marta has won the Pan American Games (2003 and 2007) and the South American Women’s Football Championship (2003 and 2010) with Brazil.

In 2004 she bagged ‘Golden Ball’ for FIFA under-20 Women’s World Cup. In 2007 Women’s World Cup she was awarded with ‘Golden Ball’ and ‘Golden Boot’. She won a silver medal from the 2008 Olympics. A documentary named “Marta, Cousin of Pele” has also been filmed in 2005.

Some quick facts about this great player

• Position: Striker
• Current Club: Western New York Flash
• Previous Clubs: Vasco da Gama (2000-2002), Santa Cruz (2002-2004), Umea IK (2004-2008), Los Angeles Sol (2009), Santos (2009-2010, loan), FC Gold Pride (2010), Santos (2010, loan)
• International Career: 2002 to present