Marta - The Creator
SOCCER - FORWARD - BRAZILIAN NATIONAL TEAM - ORLANDO PRIDE
ARCHETYPE: THE CREATOR
Day 23/135
Athletic Accomplishments
Who is the best footballer of all time?
When you’re this good, all you need is one name: Marta.
Marta won the Golden Ball & Golden Boot in the 2007 World Cup, and two silver medals in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
She also won FIFA World Player of the Year for 5 consecutive years—from 2006-2010—and then, just when you thought the coast was clear, she won her sixth award again 8 years later. And it’s not for lack of competition… we’re talking about the era of Abby Wambach, Christine Sinclair, Megan Rapinoe… and still Marta topped them all.
Marta started her professional career as a classic No. 10—a midfielder whose touch, speed, and creativity allowed her to completely dominate the game. She developed a reputation as a real playmaker and leader for her Swedish and American club teams, as well as the Brazilian national team. Eventually, Marta evolved to become a forward who has a real nose for the goal, as evidenced by her world record of 17 goals in Women’s World Cups, as well as 109 international goals.
Undeniably great. Undeniably dangerous from anywhere on the pitch. A master of set piece plays. A remarkable competitor. Should be your daughter AND your son’s hero.
Marta currently plays for the Orlando Pride, and recently announced her engagement to teammate Toni Pressley. Marta wins, love wins.
Character Archetype: The Creator
The Creator
Quick history lesson. From 1941-1979, women’s soccer was banned in Brazil. Their women’s national team didn’t even compete until 1986, the year Marta was born. So, no surprise, but there was not a whole lot of social or institutional support for girls playing sports. Marta was not allowed to play with her male peers growing up, and it’s not like there was a whole girls youth league where she could develop. So, Marta worked on her footwork by herself with abandoned, deflated soccer balls or rolled up grocery bags. The classic “orphan” character archetype, Marta was discovered by a scout at age 14 when she played for a local boys’ junior team.
She took everybody by storm, playing for a Swedish club and for the Brazilian national team, earning the nickname “Pelé with skirts” because global soccer fans love to talk about the legendary Pelé, and for good reason. But you know what Brazilian has more international goals? MARTA. 109.
Despite Brazil never winning a Women’s World Cup, Marta still holds the record for most goals scored in her tournament career (17).
Never having won a World Cup could be the defining story for a player as good as Marta. But she won’t let her career or her legacy be a tragedy. In 2019, after Brazil lost to France in the Round of 16, Marta gave an impassioned speech, directed at the girls and women who would take the reigns as the next generation of soccer.
“It’s wanting more. It’s training more. It’s taking care of yourself more. It’s being ready to play 90 plus 30 minutes. This is what I ask of the girls. There’s not going to be a Formiga forever. There’s not going to be a Marta forever. There’s not going to be a Cristiane. The women’s game depends on you to survive. So think about that. Value it more. Cry in the beginning so you can smile in the end.”
Marta created her own story. What’s yours?