Brazilian Football Legend Formiga Set to Make History at Tokyo Olympics 2020

Brazilian veteran Miraildes Maciel Mota looks set to make history at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics 2020. Better known as Formiga, the 43-year-old footballer will compete in her seventh Olympic Games at Tokyo.

In addition, she will also keep her streak of representing Brazil in every edition of the women’s football tournament at the Games since it started in 1996.

Formiga will make her seventh Olympic appearance at Tokyo Olympics 2020

While men’s football made its debut at the Olympics way back in 1900, women’s football entered the competition much later in 1996. Since then, only three countries have participated in all seven editions of the women’s football tournament at the Games. Those three nations are Sweden, USA and Brazil.

And in each of Brazil’s Olympic appearances, Formiga made it to the squad. Born in Salvador, the 43-year-rose through the ranks despite Brazil deeming women playing football illegal at the time.

Making her international debut aged just 17, she also made a record for the most consecutive appearances at the FIFA World Cup across both genders. In 2019, the midfielder made her seventh consecutive World Cup appearance, which is unmatched in the history of the men’s and women’s World Cups.

Earlier this year, she joined Brazilian club Sao Paulo after spending four seasons with Paris Saint-Germain. During her time in Paris, she made 68 appearances for the club.

While the midfielder is now 43 years old, she still plays a key role for Brazil. Her position in the middle of the park makes her the go-to person to dictate the flow of the game. During her Olympic career, she won two consecutive silver medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics and 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Although she is the oldest in the current Brazilian squad, her experience is paramount to the Selecao’s chances in Tokyo.

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Can Brazil clinch their first gold medal in Tokyo?

Although Brazil took part in all editions of women’s football at the Olympics, they are yet to win a gold medal. With a mix of youth and experience, they will look to players like Marta and Formiga to lead the way.

However, the United States are arguably the strongest team heading into the Tokyo Olympics. With stars like Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, it will be a monumental task for any team to defeat the four-time gold medallists.

As part of Group F, Brazil have Netherlands, Zambia and China in their group. The Selecao will take on Netherlands in their opening match of the tournament on Saturday, July 24.

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