Marta was born in Dois Riachos, a small town in the northeastern state of Alagoas, Brazil. From a young age, she showed an extraordinary talent for football, a sport predominantly played by men in her region. Despite the challenges and limited opportunities for women in football, Marta’s passion and skill led her to pursue the sport professionally.
Details about her formal education are scarce, as Marta focused heavily on her football career from a young age. However, she is known for her dedication to her training and development, which has been a significant factor in her success.
Career
Marta’s professional career began when she joined the youth team of Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro. She made her professional debut in 2000 at the age of 14. Marta’s talent quickly gained attention, and she moved to Europe to play for Umeå IK in Sweden, where she became a sensation.
She has played for various clubs around the world, including in the United States, Sweden, and Brazil. Marta has won numerous individual awards, including being named FIFA World Player of the Year six times. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest female footballers of all time.
Marta has also been a pivotal figure in the Brazil women’s national team, leading them to several international tournaments, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympic Games. Her impact on the sport extends beyond her playing ability, as she is a vocal advocate for gender equality in sports.
Personal Life
Marta is known for being private about her personal life. She is deeply involved in social causes, particularly those related to women’s rights and gender equality in sports. Marta’s dedication to these causes has made her a role model both on and off the field.
In 2021, Marta announced her engagement to Toni Deion Pressley, an American professional soccer player. The couple’s relationship has been a significant highlight in Marta’s personal life, and they continue to be influential figures in the sports world.
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, helping her club win both competitions, and scoring a goal in the Libertadores final and two in the Copa do Brasil final.
FC Gold Pride
In January 2010, the Sol ceased operations 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.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.She became a free agent after the Gold Pride folded on 17 November 2010.
Return to Santos
On 16 December 2010, Santos presented Marta again. It was a two-month contract that could become a link of a year, but it did not. The board of directors has confirmed it is finalizing negotiations for the club to dispute the women’s football league in the United States in 2011. However, under the competition regulation, the club would have only five Brazilian players – Marta and four.
Western New York Flash
On 25 January 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.Marta’s two goals and four assists were a key part of 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 tiebreaker, having a greater production rate based on goals per game average.
| Full Name | Marta Vieira da Silva |
| Date of Birth | February 19, 1986 |
| Place of Birth | Dois Riachos, Alagoas, Brazil |
| Age | 38 (as of 2024) |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Occupation | Professional Footballer |
| Position | Forward / Midfielder |
| Youth Career | Vasco da Gama |
| Professional Debut | 2000 |
| Clubs Played For | Vasco da Gama, Umeå IK, Tyresö FF, FC Rosengård, Orlando Pride |
| National Team | Brazil Women’s National Team |
| Number of FIFA Awards | 6 |
| Partner | Toni Deion Pressley |
| Net Worth | $13 million (as of 2024) |
Net Worth
Marta’s success on the field has translated into substantial financial earnings. She has endorsements with major brands and a high salary from her club contracts. As of 2024, Marta’s estimated net worth is around $13 million.
This comprehensive overview highlights Marta Brazil’s extraordinary journey from a small town in Brazil to becoming one of the most celebrated footballers globally, along with her contributions to gender equality in sports.