Marta’s Enduring Legacy in Brazilian Soccer

Brazilian legend Marta, 38, is set to retire from international football after the 2024 Olympic Games, but what legacy has she left on the women’s game? We spoke to those who know her best to tell the story of her incredible career.

Long before she became the best women’s soccer player in the world, Marta was seven years old, the only girl playing on a dirt field in Brazil. The games were played in a dry creek, the goals forged from three sticks to make both posts and a crossbar.

She had grown up in poverty, playing without shoes, then later stuffing newspaper into the bottom of her used boots to make them fit. Her single mother had worked long hours to provide for her and three siblings. But she would dribble and weave with the ball like it was tied to her foot.

“She was born to play futebol,” her childhood coach, Tota, tells ESPN.

Born to? Everyone says that now, but supposed to? Definitely not. There were always comments. “She can’t play, she’s a girl,” they often said. Some even asked her mother why she let her play, insisting: “She’s not normal.”

Her mother shook the questions off. As did her childhood coach, Tota. He got the same questions all the time, none more so than during a children’s tournament in the neighboring town of Santana do Ipanema. The details are slightly lost to time now, but the crux is this: Marta arrived at the competition she had played in before, but this time it was a problem.

A coach from another team said his team wouldn’t play against her, leading to her removal from the tournament. The organizer later claimed he did so to protect her, after another player had threatened to injure her when she nutmegged him. The following year, it was made a boys-only competition.

At 14, Marta faced a life-defining decision: whether to get on a bus heading to Rio de Janeiro for a trial at the professional club Vasco da Gama. It was a three-day journey from her home in Dois Riachos in the state of Alagoas. Marta hesitated at the bus stop, feeling nervous, but eventually boarded.

In Rio, her first interview with Vasco’s women’s football coordinator, Helena Pacheco, was a nerve-wracking experience. Marta had never played organized football before and didn’t even have proper gear. However, her determination was evident. “She didn’t take her eyes off the ball,” Pacheco recalls.

The next day’s trial revealed her natural talent. Initially unsure on the pitch, Marta soon displayed exceptional skills, impressing everyone with her powerful shots. She soon joined Vasco and moved into the club’s youth accommodation.

By 2002, Marta was making her debut for the Brazil national youth team at the Under-20 World Cup in Canada. Her energy and enthusiasm left a mark on her teammates. “Let’s train, let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!” she would often say. Even after official training sessions, Marta would stay back with the goalkeepers to practice her shooting.

Marta’s career at Vasco ended when the club folded in 2002, but her journey was just beginning. Her debut at the Women’s World Cup in 2003 saw her scoring in her first match against South Korea and netting more goals in subsequent games. Her performances earned her acclaim and the nickname “Pelé with a skirt,” which, while endorsed by Pelé himself, never quite felt right to Marta.

In 2003, Roland Arqvist, the sporting director at Umea IK in Sweden, noticed Marta’s talent at the World Cup and wanted her to play for his team. Despite initial skepticism from his colleagues and the challenge of contacting Marta through a telephone kiosk, Arqvist’s persistence paid off. Marta joined Umea in 2004, overcoming initial culture shock and weather conditions to become an integral part of the team.

Living with the Barbosa family during her early days in Sweden made a significant difference. “She became like their daughter,” recalls Josefin Barbosa. Marta adapted quickly, even participating in family games like cross-country skiing despite her inexperience.

Marta’s first season in Sweden was a resounding success. She scored 22 goals and helped Umea win the UEFA Women’s Cup with a dominant performance against Frankfurt in the final. Her achievements soon led to nominations for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, an honor she would go on to win multiple times.

Marta’s first Olympic Games in 2004 showcased her talent on the global stage. Despite Brazil’s narrow loss to the USWNT in the final, Marta left a lasting impression. The U.S. players recognized her potential and knew Brazil was a team to watch out for in the future.

As the years went by, Marta’s passion for football remained undiminished. She faced numerous challenges, including the instability of club teams and the lack of support for women’s football in Brazil. Yet, she persevered, moving from club to club, including stints in the U.S. and Sweden, and eventually joining Orlando Pride in 2017.

Brazil’s national team, despite Marta’s brilliance, experienced heartbreaking defeats in major tournaments. Still, Marta’s commitment to the game and her emotional speeches, like the one after Brazil’s exit at the 2019 Women’s World Cup, inspired a new generation of players.

As Marta approaches the end of her international career, her legacy remains profound. She plans to retire after the 2024 Olympic Games, and her journey from a dirt field in Dois Riachos to global stardom stands as a testament to her resilience and talent.

Source: ESPN