Orlando Pride forward Marta has been named a finalist for The Best, FIFA’s annual award for the top women’s player of the year, it was announced on Monday. Marta is one of three finalists for the award and will look to win her record sixth Women’s World Player of the Year award at the end of this month.
“I’m really happy and thankful for this nomination. It’s a great feedback from the last season; it’s great to see that feedback on everything I put in,” Marta said. “Even though it’s an individual award, I also share this with my teammates because they help me through everything. I couldn’t get this recognition without them.”
After a panel of experts selected a shortlist of 10 players for the award, the three finalists for The Best were voted on by fans, select media, national team coaches and national team captains based on each players’ achievements from Aug. 7, 2017 to May 24, 2018.
In 2017, her first season with the Pride, Marta led the Club with 13 goals and nine assists - both single-season franchise records. The 32-year-old Brazilian helped the Pride finish with a league-leading 45 goals, a nine-game unbeaten streak to cap off the 2017 season and the Club’s first postseason appearance.
In addition, Marta was named to the NWSL Team of the Month each month from June to September, and also earned a place on the CONCACAF Best XI in September.
With one match remaining in the 2018 season, Marta has totaled four goals and four assists over 17 appearances, including a thrilling 86th-minute game-winning goal against Washington on July 7.
Marta has been won Women’s Player of the Year five times previously in her career, tied for most all-time, male or female, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
The Best FIFA Football Awards will be held on Monday, Sept. 24 in London. Norway’s Ada Hegerberg (Olympique Lyonnais) and Germany’s Dzsenifer Maroszan (Olympique Lyonnais) were announced as the other two finalists for the pinnacle award.
