ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Pride won its first-ever National Women’s Soccer League Championship in franchise history with a 1-0 win Saturday over Washington, and the moment is shining a renewed light on a Pride player considered one of the best female soccer players ever.
Orlando Pride Forward Marta Da Silva, known more commonly as Marta, joined the team in 2017 and is currently the team captain. The now 38-year-old Brazilian soccer player began her career in Europe. She made a name for herself and earned the No. 7 on Sports Illustrated’s Top 20 Female Athletes of the Decade from 2000 to 2009.
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The last time the Pride went to the playoffs was Marta’s first year in 2017, and she is currently the only person from that year’s squad still on the team.
Marta is considered one of the greatest female players to grace the turf.
Here’s how she compares to one of soccer’s great male players, Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi.
Marta
- One NWSL Championship Title, 2024
- Sits as the all-time goals leader in World Cup history, men’s or women’s, with 17 to her name
- Won seven championships in the top women’s football league in Sweden, Swedish Damallsvenskan, with three different teams: Umeå (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008), Tyresö (2012) and Rosengård (2014, 2015)
- Led the Damallsvenskan in scoring in 2004, 2005 and 2008
- Became the first player to score at five World Cup tournaments
- Has won FIFA Women’s Player of the Year a total of six times
- Won the South American championship three times (2003, 2010, 2018).
- Named to FIFPro World XI four times (2016, 2017, 2019, 2021)
- The 2007 World Cup Golden Boot & Golden Ball winner
- Competed in five Olympic Games from Athens 2004 to Paris 2024, claiming three silver medals
- In July 2021, she became the first player to score in five straight Olympic Games
- No. 7 on Sports Illustrated’s Top 20 Female Athletes of the Decade (2000–2009)
- Currently sits as the all-time goals (27) and appearance (84) leader in Pride history
- Named Sept. 2017 Player of the Month after scoring twice and creating 13 chances in the month
- A six-time NWSL Team of the Month and four-time Goal of the Week honoree
- Was named to the NWSL Best XI in 2017
Source: Orlando Pride, Olympics.com
Messi
- Greatest goal scorer for both Argentina and Barcelona
- 17 FIFA FIFPRO World XI appearances
- 10 LaLiga championships
- 9 LaLiga Best Player awards
- 8 Ballon d’Or awards
- 7 Copa del Rey titles
- 6 Champions League scoring titles
- 4 Champions League titles
- 3 Best FIFA Men’s Player awards
- UEFA Super Cup goals
- 3 FIFA Club World Cup titles
- 2 Ligue 1 championships
- 2 Copa América titles
- 2 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball awards
- 1 Leagues Cup title
- 1 Olympic gold medal (2008 Beijing)
- 1 World Cup title
Source: ESPN
With two heavily decorated players on the field in Florida, some may wonder what each player is making respectively.
CBS News reports that Messi makes just over $20.4 million from his Major League Soccer contract with Inter Miami, exceeding the payrolls of all but three other teams in the league. Marta reportedly earns $400,000 a year.
