Rainha Marta turns 40 and expands historical legacy with records in international football

The world of sport celebrates this Thursday, February 19, 2026, the fortieth anniversary of Marta Vieira da Silva, the athlete who redefined the parameters of football played by women. Nascida in Dois Riachos, in the backlands of Atualmente defending the Orlando Pride, in the Estados Unidos, the number 10 shirt maintains its technical and physical relevance in a highly competitive league, contradicting expectations about the longevity of high-performance athletes.

The Brazilian’s professional trajectory, which began in the Vasco of the Gama at the age of 14, has transformed into a global phenomenon that spans decades. With an established career spanning three continents, Marta has not only accumulated trophies, but also used her platform to advocate for gender equality in sport. Sua celebration of four decades of life marks not only a personal achievement, but a symbolic moment for the sport that she helped to popularize.

Achievements in Europa and beginning of the dynasty

Marta’s international career gained meteoric prominence at Suécia, where she defended the colors of Umeå IK from 2004 onwards. Durante During her time at the Swedish club, the Brazilian was instrumental in securing four national league titles and a national cup, establishing the north of Europa as a hub for women’s football.

Success on Scandinavian lawns served as a springboard for his name to be recognized worldwide. His ability to decide important games and his creativity with the ball at his feet caught the attention of Fifa and the specialized press, beginning an era of individual dominance in global awards that would last for years.

Supremacy with the national team shirt

For Brasil, Marta’s numbers are superlative and reflect full dedication to the national team. The striker boasts a record of 132 goals with the yellow shirt, a record that surpasses that of Pelé in official games for the national team. Esse record was consolidated during the Olimpíadas of 2016 and expanded in the following years, confirming her position as the top scorer among all genders in the country.

The constant presence of Rainha in major competitions has created an extensive list of historic achievements that will be difficult to match in the short term. Entre the main milestones of his international career stand out:

• Voted the best player in the world by Fifa on six occasions (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2018).
• Top scorer in the history of the Copas of the Mundo, between men and women, with 17 goals scored.
• Participation in six editions of Jogos Olímpicos and six Mundiais, demonstrating a rare longevity in elite sport.
• Winning three Olympic silver medals (Athens 2004, Pequim 2008 and Paris 2024).

Recent titles and performance in the Estados Unidos

Even in the final stretch of his career, Marta continues to be decisive in club competitions. In 2024, the player was a key player in Orlando Pride’s historic campaign, helping the team lift important trophies in the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League). The achievement broke a drought of club titles that had persisted since 2004, reaffirming his ability to lead and adapt to the physical football played in the América of the Norte.

The renewal of her contract with the Flórida team allowed the athlete to continue performing at a high level until the 2026 season. Her career management in recent years has focused on physical maintenance and tactical intelligence, allowing her to compensate for the natural decrease in muscular explosiveness with game vision and precision in passing, remaining a technical reference for her younger teammates.

Social legacy and global ambassador

The influence of Marta transcends the four lines, directly impacting public policies and social perception about women in sport. Desde 2010, she acts as Embaixadora of the UN’s Boa Vontade, and in 2018 she took on an even more relevant role with the UN Mulheres, focusing on female empowerment through sport. Sua voice has been fundamental in the fight for equal pay and better working conditions for athletes.

The recognition of its historical importance is unanimous. Estádios like Maracanã immortalized her feet on the walk of fame, placing her alongside male legends and correcting a historical erasure of women in football. Upon turning 40, Marta is not just celebrating her birthday, but the consolidation of a legacy that has opened doors for millions of girls around the world.