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Early Life

Marta Vieira da Silva was born on February 19, 1986, in Dois Riachos, in the impoverished northeastern Brazilian state of Alagoas, and grew up playing soccer with boys in the streets due to a lack of organized options for girls.

She left home as a young teenager to pursue soccer in Rio de Janeiro, joining a club team despite facing significant gender-based barriers to playing the sport professionally in Brazil at the time.

Rise to Fame

Marta moved to Sweden in 2004 to play professionally, quickly establishing herself as one of the most dynamic attacking players in the world with her speed, technique, and goal-scoring ability.

She helped lead Brazil’s national team to the final of the 2007 World Cup and won multiple domestic league titles and championships across stints with clubs in Sweden and the United States.

Career Highlights

Marta won the FIFA World Player of the Year award a record six times between 2006 and 2018, an achievement unmatched by any other player in the sport’s history.

She became the all-time leading goal scorer, male or female, in World Cup history, and represented Brazil at six Women’s World Cups and five Olympic Games over a career spanning more than two decades.

Personal Life

Marta has been open about her identity as a gay woman and has spoken about her long-term relationship with a fellow professional soccer player.

Known for her humble origins, she has used her platform to advocate for the growth of women’s soccer and greater investment in the sport, particularly in Brazil and other developing soccer nations.

Net Worth & Legacy

Marta’s net worth is estimated in the millions of dollars, built through club salaries, national team appearance fees, and endorsement deals with major global brands.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest women’s soccer players of all time, Marta has been credited with elevating the visibility and legitimacy of the women’s game on a global scale.