Formiga
Defensive Midfielder · São Paulo FC · Brazil
About Formiga
Formiga is the most capped player in Brazilian football history and one of the most extraordinary longevity stories in sport — she played in seven consecutive FIFA Women's World Cups from 1995 to 2019, spanning 24 years.
Formiga's story
Salvador Beginnings
Miraildes Maciel Mota, known universally as Formiga (Portuguese for 'ant' — a reference to her tireless work ethic), was born on 3 March 1978 in Salvador, Brazil. She came from a humble background in the northeast and fell in love with football at a time when the women's game was barely visible in Brazil.
Seven World Cups
Formiga is the only player, male or female, to have played in seven different FIFA Women's World Cups. She appeared in every tournament from USA 1995 through France 2019 — a span of 24 years. At 41, she became the oldest player in Women's World Cup history in 2019.
Brazil's Midfield Anchor
Across her career, Formiga was the defensive anchor that allowed Marta to flourish. Her tenacity, positioning, and reading of the game kept Brazil competitive in every major tournament they entered. She won two Olympic silver medals and was a cornerstone of the team that reached the 2007 World Cup final.
A Living Record
Formiga retired from the national team in 2022, aged 43, having earned 234 caps — the most in Brazilian football history for either men's or women's game. She was awarded honorary recognition by the Brazilian Football Confederation for her extraordinary contribution to the sport.
Did you know?
- Formiga played in seven consecutive Women's World Cups from 1995 to 2019 — the only footballer in history, male or female, to appear in seven editions of any World Cup.
- At the 2019 World Cup, aged 41 years and 98 days, she became the oldest player in Women's World Cup history.
- Her nickname Formiga means 'ant' in Portuguese — given to her as a teenager for her relentless energy and work rate; she embraced it and it became her identity throughout a 27-year international career.
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