Eleven pioneers of the Brazilian Women’s National Team were honored by CBF on this Monday (12) at the organization’s auditorium in Rio de Janeiro, in an event that celebrated the silver medal won by the team led by Marta at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The aim was to exalt the medalists while remembering some of those responsible for the beginnings of women’s football in Brazil.
Ritinha, Fia, Cebola, Marisa, Russa, Ana Banana, Fanta, Sandra, Pelézinha, Lêda Maria, and Danda attended the ceremony, which was presented by Aline Pellegrino, a silver medalist in Athens 2004 and current CBF competitions manager. Before calling the current athletes to the stage, the former player asked each pioneer to stand up to receive applause from all CBF staff and the silver medalists.
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The ceremony included speeches from CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues and the emotional Queen Marta. Notable attendees included the presidents of the Paraíba Football Federation, Michelle Ramalho; Bahia Football Federation, Ricardo Lima; Espírito Santo Football Federation, Gustavo Vieira; Rio de Janeiro State Football Federation, Rubens Lopes; and Palmeiras President, Leila Pereira. Afterward, the pioneers and medalists visited the Brazilian National Team Museum.
“I also want to congratulate the pioneers of all this, the trailblazers, represented here by several of them. They paved the way for us to have a consistent National Team today, one that always seeks results and does not let itself be discouraged by adversity,” said CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues.
Lêda Maria, who was called up for the 1995 World Cup and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, commented on the importance of Ednaldo Rodrigues’ presence throughout the Olympic campaign and characterized the silver medal achievement as “golden.”
“The medal is silver, but its significance is golden for an entire generation. We have never seen the presence of a president like Ednaldo providing support. This is what our generation expects: that Brazilian women’s football receives this recognition. I hope it continues from here on, that this is just the beginning of great achievements,” she emphasized.
In 1988, Marisa became the first captain of the Women’s National Team in a World Cup. Thirty-six years later, she highlighted the recognition given by CBF and stressed the “legacy” that the current generation will leave.
“We did not receive recognition. I believe that the people here at CBF will provide that support. We passed through and left a legacy. Today’s girls will leave a legacy with the silver. Today, Brazil’s representation competing for a medal is priceless. For me, it feels like stepping onto the field for the first time,” said the former defender, who also participated in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the World Cups in 1991 and 1999.
Marilza, known as Pelézinha—a nickname she admits to never liking—was called up for the 1988 World Cup. The former forward thanked CBF for the invitation and said many girls will look up to this generation.
“I thank you for this invitation; it means a lot to us for all we have done and left behind, believing in a dream we knew would be realized one day. These girls have revived something that was forgotten: the people coming together to watch football and the girls’ final. It symbolizes a lot of the struggle from back then and the recognition today,” said Marilza, who also projected that many dreaming children will look up to the current generation.
“Women’s football is well represented by these girls. More Martinhas, Yayázinhas, and Loreninhas will emerge,” she said.
