Brazil’s Marta sets World Cup record for both men and women
By Josh Ricker
Brazilian forward Marta has just broke a World Cup record for both men and women in this summer’s Women’s World Cup in France.
Marta has broken the record for most goals ever scored in the World Cup with a staggering 17 goal tally. She has done so in five different World Cup tournaments, scoring in each one, which is another record for both genders.
On Tuesday, the 33 year-old broke the record with a penalty kick as her team defeated Italy 1-0.
According to USA Today, Marta was quoted saying this after the game,
"“I am very honored, happy to write the history in a sport that for some people is still seen as a men’s sport,” Marta, considered by many to be the best female player ever, said after the game. “We are breaking records, showing how much women’s football has been developing. It’s a story not only for Marta, but also for all women out there.”"
Her record surpasses international legends such as Miroslav Klose, Ronaldo, Gerd Muller and Abby Wambach who had 16, 15, 14, and 14 respectively. It is such a massive landmark for not only her career but all of women’s soccer as it is finally gaining the proper traction it deserves.
In Brazil she is known as the women’s version of Pele, but I think soon she will start just being known by Marta, and that is what she should get. To make 146 caps for your home country and score 113 goals is astonishing, not to mention scoring 276 club goals, which really cements her as one of the best, if not the best women’s player of all time.
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Brazil finished third in their group behind Italy and Australia, after each of the teams won two games. The only thing separating them was goal difference and fair play points, which shows how tightly contested their group was. Nevertheless, Marta and her team marches on to the knockout rounds where she can hopefully extend her record.