8 months ago
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When it comes to picking the all-time greats of women's football, a number of names come to mind.
But New Zealand captain and Angel City defender Ali Riley believes there is one player who ranks a cut above the rest.
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Riley has certainly encountered some of the world's best during her 15 years as a professional footballer.
She has spent time at Chelsea and Bayern Munich among others, and has made more than 150 appearances for her country.
Most recently, she captained New Zealand to their first ever World Cup victory when they beat Norway 1-0 in the opening game of their home championship.
But of all the talent she has witnessed over the years, she said there was one player who stood out - a player she spent time playing alongside both at American club Gold Pride and Swedish side Rosengard.
She told talkSPORT: “Marta’s the easiest player that comes to mind - I think she’s the greatest player ever in our game."
Brazil legend Marta, who has been likened to Ronaldinho, holds a plethora of impressive records, including being the first ever footballer to score at five different World Cups - a feat which was later matched by Canada's Christine Sinclair and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.
And at the 2023 Best Awards, FIFA announced they would be dedicating a new award for the best goal scored in women's football to the striker.
She becomes the only living person to have a FIFA award named in her honour - and the first recipient will lift the 'Marta' trophy in 2025.
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Riley said the moment was a perfect tribute to the career of a woman who had changed the face of football for so many.
She said: "Seeing [Marta], hearing her speak again at the awards having finally won an award for women’s goal and having it be the 'Marta' Award, I think is so fitting. It’s long overdue, but I think it is so fitting."
Speaking at the ceremony, the legend herself expressed her hopes that football would continue to be a sport that worked towards greater inclusion and diversity.
"I want that, just as I'm receiving this tribute, I want all women to have a promising future, not only aimed at football, sport, but in any other activity," she said.
"What we seek daily is to make the world a better place for all, without distinction, we look for equality, respect.
"And I give this message to all who have the power to carry it on, do it, because the next generations will thank you, just as we thank Ronaldo, Zagallo, Pelé."
Marta has played for ten clubs so far during her 24-year career - and she is still going strong.
At 37 years old, she is playing for NWSL side Orlando Pride and recently became the club's first ever player to reach 100 appearances.
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While she did announce that the 2023 Women's World Cup would be her last, she has since expressed hopes to appear at another Olympic Games - meaning the world stage may not have seen the last of Marta.
But Riley told talkSPORT her inspirational legacy has already been set in stone.
She said: "I think she could do things that no one else could do when she broke out on the stage and really put Umea on the map. Having her in Sweden (at Rosengard) and getting to know her there, speaking Swedish with her - I just have the most amazing personal memories of our time together and our relationship.
She added: "She worked so hard and she was so professional. She would run back on defence which is not something you expect from a world star! The best number 10 in the world.
"She was the first player I ever saw little boys come up to in restaurants, in hotels, in airports and for me, she is just an icon."
But Marta was not the only striker Riley heaped praise upon.
When asked about some of the best players she had ever gone up against in her career, the New Zealand defender said one Australian WSL star in particular also came to mind.
She said: "Sam Kerr - we’ve had so many battles playing for New Zealand!
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“I remember her really being this young player, and seeing where she is now and I think she’s been so threatening and brought something unique!"
And Riley said there was another legend of the women's game she had to mention: Christine Sinclair.
Speaking about Sinclair, who holds the record for the most international goals scored by any male or female player, she said: “Someone with that type of finesse who has scored so many goals, who has a huge skillset and who is so humble and a really good teammate, and works really, really hard, those are the players who are always going to have such an impression on me.
“I just think what makes a really great player or the best player that I’ve played against - I think it’s someone that when they leave the game, the game will be truly changed for what they’ve done. And you won’t find another player like them, maybe forever.”
You can listen to talkSPORT's Women's Football Show every Monday from 7pm-8pm on talkSPORT 2.
