Queen Marta has once again etched her name in history. With the silver medal in Paris, the greatest player of all time is now the record holder for medals in Brazilian football. The Alagoan from Dois Riachos now has three Olympic medals. She had already been a key player in the campaigns that led to the two silver medals (Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008).
“We fought until the end. What we came here to achieve, we did, which was to restore the pride of the Brazilian people, so they can look at women’s football with a different, competitive perspective,” said the Queen.
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“An Olympic final is always a source of pride, it’s always an honor, because many teams would want to be in our place. We are Olympic medalists; this is the third medal we bring to Brazil in women’s football, and that is very rewarding,” she added.
By winning silver in France, Marta surpassed seven men and eight Brazilian women who have stood on the Olympic football podium twice. In the women’s category, legends Tânia Maranhão, Renata Costa, Daniela Alves, Formiga, Cristiane, Pretinha, Maycon, and Rosana have earned two silvers alongside Marta.
In the men’s category, only seven men have won more than one Olympic medal. Neymar was part of the gold medal team in Rio and the silver medal team in London. Thiago Silva, Marcelo, and Alexandre Pato also competed in 2012 and won bronze in Beijing 2008. Luiz Carlos Winck and Ademir, former Internacional players, won two silvers in Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988. Bebeto secured silver in Seoul 88 and bronze in Atlanta 1996.
The greatest of all time
Queen Marta has been elected the best football player in the world six times and also led Brazil to a runner-up finish in the World Cup in 2007. This year, FIFA honored the 38-year-old athlete’s career once again. The player will have a new FIFA award named after her, which will be given for the most beautiful goal in women’s football.
The number 10 for the national team has become the first active player to be immortalized by the highest football authority. Just like Puskás, Marta will lend her name to the award recognizing women who score the most beautiful goals. Until this year, men and women competed together in this category. Beyond the pitch, the player from Riacho is an ambassador for UN Women and actively participates in projects focused on other social issues.
“We will have a World Cup in Brazil in a few years. We need that energy; we need the Brazilian people to believe more in women’s football. Don’t just wait for moments like this to speak well or poorly; speak all the time,” said the Queen.
Honored even by rivals
The Brazilian star is idolized by everyone in football. Before the final in Paris, the American players praised the Brazilian player. “Marta changed football all over the world. She is a talented player, but also a great human being, which says a lot,” said Trinity Rodman, who scored three goals in the Paris Games.
“We wouldn’t be here without Marta. She changed the game forever and continues to change the game,” said Sophia Smith. “There are no words to describe how grateful we are for a player like Marta, who is an advocate for young players like us,” Smith added.
Voice of experience
In Paris, Marta was fundamental. She started in the first three matches of the Olympic campaign. The player was sent off against Spain in the last group match due to a foul committed against an opponent. FIFA punished the athlete with a two-match suspension. Although she was out of the decisive matches, Marta helped behind the scenes. She spoke with the athletes and liked to give advice. In the final, the Orlando Pride midfielder entered in the second half and created several offensive plays.
