December 21, 2009 MARTA AGAIN Wins 4th straight FIFA women's world player award
Marta won the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year Award for the fourth straight time.
Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images
ZURICH, Switzerland – Los Angeles Sol forward Marta has been named the FIFA World player of the Year for the fourth consecutive time.
Boston Breakers and England forward Kelly Smith finished third and Chicago Red Stars and Brazil midfiedler Cristiane was fourth.
Marta, accrued 833 points. She was followed by Germany's Birgit Prinz (290). Smith (252), Cristian (239) and then Germany's Inka Grings (216). No U.S. player finished among the top five.
Marta made an immediate impact on WPS during its inaugural season. She recorded 10 goals and tree assists, winning the Golden Boot Award as the league’s top scorer. She also led the Los Angeles Sol to the WPS regular-season title and a spot in the WPS championship game. Marta he was selected by players, coaches, media and fans as the Michelle Akers Player of the Year, the league MVP award. She was also a first-team WPS all-star selection and scored a goal for the WPS all-stars in their 4-2 victory over Swedish power Umeå IK in the WPS all-star game.
“I want to thank God for everything that is happening to me in my life,” Marta said after winning the award. “I also want to thank my football colleagues in Los Angeles Sol, Santos and Brazil. This is an individual award, but without my colleagues, I could not win anything. I am very happy to be the first woman to have won the award for a fourth time and I hope it helps women's football to grow.”
