By Marta
Marta Vieira de Silva says she was born to play football. Being discriminated because of her gender didn’t stop her from becoming the best female football player, awarded to her at the Best Fifa Football Awards on September 24th, 2018 at 32 years of age. “If you’re any sort of young girl with aspirations to play at the highest level, her ability on the ball – it’s absolutely phenomenal, a rarity I’d say!” said Hope Powell, former England women’s manager.
Marta says that as as child she used to play football in the street with her cousins, all male. As she grew, her passion for football also evolved. But once her community started to notice that her love for the sport was real, they saw her as an outcast because they believed that only men should play football.
Discovered by Brazilian coach Helena Pacheco, Marta moved to Rio de Janeiro to train with the Vasco da Gama women’s club at the age of 14. This was a big upheaval for her, seeing as she had to leave her family and friends behind at such a young age and from there her career began.
Her new goal is to win a gold at the 2020 Olympic Games in her motherland. For her reputation’s sake let’s hope she wins.
