Marta Shows Off Her Amazing Talents
Marta Vieria da Silva unrivaled skill is down to childhood years spent battling to play with the boys in the street games of her small hometown in Brazil. Now at 21 she is preparing to play in the Women's Football World Cup in China in September and is being hailed as the best player in the world- showing that football definitely isn't just for the boys these days.Tell us a little about how you got started in football as a young girl.
When I was a kid I lived in a little city (more like small village) in Brazil and we knew everyone. I used to play with the boys outside during the day when I was around 7/8 years old. I remember that sometimes I would miss school to stay playing with them, obviously without my mother’s or my older brother’s knowledge. Although I used to play with the boys, a funny fact is that I was never the last to be picked when team’s were selected which probably should have been seen by myself as a sign.
Who were some of your football heroes growing up and who were some of your other sports figures you admired?
I can’t really say I had heroes or idols when I was a kid. Yes, I have always liked football and watching it, but not to a level of actually putting someone on a pedestal. I can say that I always enjoyed seeing Rivaldo play. I have never seen Pelé playing live, but I saw some videos and you need to admit there is something special about his football. Although not having a hero, I always have had an inspiration in my career, something that pushes you forward and makes you want to desire a little more and that has always been my family.
At age 20, you are considered by some of the media as the most talented player in the world. Does that come with a lot of pressure and expectations?
That comment itself is a huge pressure on someone’s career, whether football or any other activity: being the “Best in the World” is definitely something to aim for, but also to accept with humility and sacrifice. As mentioned, I do feel that pressure, however I also need to deal with it and try not to pay that much attention. I try mainly to focus on my objectives and fight to achieve them like I have always done in my life. I am exactly where I have desired all my life and I have fought a lot to be here, so I can’t just get distracted but rather focus to continue if I want to stay at this level. The struggle was long, but the result is here so I hope I manage to continue for some long years as the feeling is really great.
We know that your family back home in Brazil is very important to you… Has it been difficult living and playing in Sweden so far from home?
Difficult is to miss them as much as I do, especially being so far away and seeing them very few times during the year. When I moved to Sweden I knew that this would be a huge sacrifice for this reason, the weather, the language etc…however, I was prepared to do sacrifices to improve myself as a player and I knew that the Swedish league and Umea IK would offer me this possibility. I am now more adjusted to the Swedish culture and I even speak a little of the language, so this already helps out however, the family is the sacrifice that stills remain harder to digest.What are your thoughts looking back on the 2004 Olympics when you lost to the U.S. in extra time in the gold medal game?
It is very sad for me, it actually leaves me quite upset and angry. When I think of that game, the dramatic ending of a very well fought game from both sides. Looking back I remember that we played a really good game and created some great chances to score. Unfortunately luck was not on our side and I think that had a great influence on the result. Nevertheless, you need to congratulate the opponent and look forward. I’m sure they would also have been angry if the result would have been different. Thankfully, I am still young and therefore can aim for the same or even higher results in the future.Women’s football is still growing across the world. Can you talk about the growth of women’s football in Brazil and do young girls look up to you as a role model?
Women’s football in Brazil is growing a lot on a participant level, however, there are still missing governmental and corporate support to help the sport to develop faster. After the Olympic result achieved in 2004, people started looking differently to the sport and after winning the FIFA award this year, I actually started being recognized on the streets which was quite weird at first. As said before, I struggled for this all my life and I can’t feel but proud when I know that little girls and even boys who only dream at being professional players look up to me as an example.What are you looking forward to most at the 2007 Women’s World Cup in China?
This is a great event with great importance in the world of women’s football and this itself already makes you want to arrive and above all have a good performance, not disappoint as a person and as a team.
I believe that all teams dream of actually reaching the final match and from then on….anything can happen. You can’t reach a tournament like this thinking to reach the second phase, you need to have your mind set on winning it, specially when you fully trust your colleagues in the team. Is it difficult? Yes. Is it hard work? Yes. But…..is it possible and worth fighting for? Definitely…yes.
I also understand that winning such tournament or just reaching a better result than the Olympics would really make a change for women’s football in Brasil and that also gives me and my colleagues an extra push to fight harder on the pitch.What would be your dream way to celebrate after scoring a goal?
Definitely to celebrate a goal with my family on the pitch after scoring the decisive goal of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2007 in China!
In the above picture Marta is wearing the new Puma v-Konstrukt II women’s football boot.
The lightweight boot is identical to the men´s shoe but is designed and tailored to meet women’s specific needs
This includes a new medial Arch support to give extra protection to the female foot. Also the Puma Women’s AptoLast is specially tailored to the narrow foot of female players, providing extra comfort and snug fit following the natural shape of the female foot.