Cristiane
Forward · São Paulo FC / Santos · Brazil
About Cristiane
Cristiane was the most physically imposing forward in Brazilian women's football — powerful, direct, and lethal in the air. A record scorer in the Copa América Femenina, she partnered Marta as one of the most feared striking duos in the world during their peak years.
Cristiane's story
São Paulo Beginnings
Cristiane Rozeira de Souza Silva was born on 15 May 1983 in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo state. She grew up playing in a region rich in football tradition and developed into a powerful, direct striker who complemented the more mercurial Marta beautifully in Brazil's attack.
Deadly Partner
As Brazil's number 9 alongside Marta's 10, Cristiane was a constant threat. Where Marta dazzled with skill, Cristiane bullied with power and physicality. She was an excellent header of the ball and a reliable finisher. Together they formed one of the most feared forward partnerships in women's football history.
European Adventures
Cristiane had stints in Sweden and France, competing at the highest level of European club football. She won multiple Copa América titles with Brazil and was consistently among the top scorers at each tournament.
World Cup Legacy
Cristiane played at four Women's World Cups for Brazil. She was particularly impressive at Germany 2011, where Brazil reached the final for the only time. She retired from international football in 2019 and from club football in 2022. She is the joint-record scorer in Copa América Femenina history.
Did you know?
- Cristiane is the joint all-time top scorer in Copa América Femenina history, having shared the record across seven tournaments for Brazil.
- She scored a hat-trick in Brazil's first game of the 2007 Women's World Cup — setting the tone for a tournament in which Brazil reached the final.
- Cristiane is one of a small number of Brazilian women's players to have spoken publicly about the lack of investment and resources in the women's game in Brazil compared to Argentina and European nations.
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