Brazil’s Marta has stepped into the record books, and is now the all-time leading goal scorer in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Her record-breaking 15th goal came from the penalty spot against South Korea in this year’s edition of the tournament in Canada, and as fate would have it, the Brazil legend’s first ever World Cup goal came against the same opponents back in 2003.
The 29-year-old, who has now scored 91 goals for her country in 92 appearances, has overtaken German striker Birgit Prinz to claim top spot in the World Cup goalscoring ranks, but is still yet to win the competition despite appearing in four tournaments.
Brazil came closest to lifting the trophy in 2007 after they made it to the final but lost out to Germany 2-0.
The five-time FIFA Player of the Year scored seven of her World Cup goals in this tournament, during which she picked up both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards.
Arguably, two of her best goals from 2007 came in the semi-final against USA, in which Brazil ran out 4-0 winners, and here at SLS we have voted this remarkably skilful effort from that victory as the forward’s best goal ever.
Marta also lit up the 2011 World Cup scoring four magnificent goals including two against Norway in the group stages, and a beautiful first-time lob over Hope Solo when she came back to haunt the USA once again, scoring twice against them in the 2011 quarter finals.
In a career that started back in 2000 at Brazilian club Vasco da Gama, Marta has played 373 times for club and country, scoring 328 goals in the process. Despite being nearly 30, she doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon and it’s safe to say, we will be watching more spectacular Marta goals for many years to come.
