Orlando Pride’s Marta Wins FIFA Women’s Player of the Year

What an achievement for Marta. For the sixth time in her storied career, the Brazil and Orlando Pride star was named FIFA Women’s Player of the Year.

The 32-year-old won the award at The Best FIFA Football Awards in London, beating out the Lyon pairing of Ada Hegerberg and Dzsenifer Marozsan. She helped lead Brazil to the Copa America title and was a major reason in her country winning the title. She was also rewarded for her efforts in helping Brazil qualify for the World Cup next year and putting an MVP-type season together in the NWSL in 2017 (the award follows the international season so 2017 accomplishments are part of it).

Marta is no stranger to this award, as she won the award five years in a row from 2006-2010. She finished as the runner-up five separate times and captured third place twice. She began playing club soccer in 2000, so she has only not been considered for the award five times over her almost 18 year career.

With this being her sixth time winning this award, Marta is now the all-time leader in the award’s history. She has been named the best player in the world more times than any other male or female in history. Marta was also the youngest player to ever win the award alongside Brazilian legend Ronaldo at age 20. Birgit Prinz trails Marta, winning the award three times.

The achievement for Marta adds a bright spot to an otherwise down season for the Orlando Pride, and congratulations goes to her on making history and continuing her legacy as one of the best female footballers to ever play the sport.