Long live The Queen! The iconic Brazilian No10 turns 40 on Thursday, and while that milestone is remarkable in itself, another number defines Marta’s legacy even more powerfully: 17.
Marta’s 17 goals at the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ remain unmatched. No player in the history of the tournament – nor in the men’s FIFA World Cup™ – has scored more.
Several of those strikes were so spectacular that they inspired the creation of the FIFA Marta Award, presented annually as a way of celebrating the finest goal in women’s football.
As the queen of the women’s game celebrates four decades, FIFA reflects on every goal she scored for the Seleção at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Watch the compilation above.
USA 2003
Marta made her FIFA Women’s World Cup debut in the United States in 2003, and immediately announced herself on the global stage with three goals. Brazil were eventually knocked out by Sweden in the quarter-finals, but the young forward had already begun to make a name for herself, opening her account in the tournament against Korea Republic.
Goal: 14’ (penalty)
Goal: 59’
Goal: 44’ (penalty)
China 2007
Four years later, Marta delivered one of the finest individual campaigns in the tournament’s history. She found the back of the net seven times, including a sensational goal in the 4-0 semi-final win over the USA that was later voted the best of the tournament. Brazil reached the final but were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Germany. Marta headed home from the tournament with both the adidas Golden Boot and the adidas Golden Ball.
Goals: 73’, 90+3’
Goals: 42’, 70’
Goal: 23’ (penalty)
Goals: 27’, 79’
Germany 2011
Brazil’s No10 continued to shine in Germany. Her four goals took her total to 14, equalling the record previously held by Germany’s Birgit Prinz. Brazil advanced to the quarter-finals, where they were beaten on penalties by the USA following a dramatic 2-2 draw after extra time.
Goals: 22’, 48’
Goals: 68’ (penalty), 90+2’
Canada 2015
In Canada, Marta moved clear at the top of the all-time scoring charts. Her penalty against Korea Republic in the group stage proved decisive as Brazil progressed to the knockout phase, though they were knocked out by Australia in the Round of 16.
Goal: 53′ (penalty)
France 2019
In 2019, the tireless Marta became the first player in history to score at five different World Cups. Her second goal in France – a penalty against Italy – carried historic significance. It took her to 17 World Cup goals, surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose (16) to become the all-time leading scorer across both the women’s and men’s competitions. Brazil advanced to the knockout phase as one of the best third-placed teams but were ultimately beaten by hosts France in the Round of 16.
Goal: 27’ (penalty)
Goal: 74’ (penalty)
