Anita Asante Reflects on Her Time as Marta’s Roommate

Former England defender Anita Asante shared a room with the renowned Brazilian forward Marta while they were teammates at the Swedish club Rosengard from 2014 to 2017. Their careers also saw them compete against each other in the United States. Currently, Asante contributes columns to BBC Sport. Marta is recognized as a singular talent, an iconic figure, and a source of inspiration for numerous individuals. It has been reported that Vinicius Jr once stated, “Marta is to Brazil what Pele was.” Her popularity among Brazilians is profound. Her global standing may not fully reflect her deserved prominence, partly because the visibility of women’s football was not as extensive during Marta’s prime as it is today. Marta’s sustained presence at the highest echelons of the sport, characterized by her mindset and willingness to make sacrifices, is considered a defining aspect of her career. Despite her extensive career in the American league, she has not yet secured a National Women’s Soccer League Championship. The prospect of her finally winning the championship with Orlando Pride in Sunday’s final (against Washington Spirit, with a 01:00 GMT kick-off) before her eventual retirement is highlighted as a significant event. It is also noted that her mother is reportedly attending to watch her play live for the first time. Asante recalls her initial ‘wow’ moment witnessing Marta’s performance for Brazil against the United States during the 2007 Women’s World Cup semi-finals. Marta’s innovative, intelligent, and creative ball skills were described as astonishing. Asante specifically remembers Marta’s maneuver where she flicked the ball around Tina Frimpong Ellertson and moved deftly around the USA defence. She likened it to observing Ronaldinho during his prime and described her ball control as Maradona-esque. This experience led to an understanding of her extraordinary talent and the widespread enthusiasm surrounding Marta. Upon joining Rosengard in Sweden in 2013, Asante expressed disbelief at the prospect of sharing a dressing room with Marta. Asante recalls an early team meeting where Marta, along with other players, spoke Swedish, prompting the thought: “not only is she a superstar on the pitch, she speaks Swedish as well as Portuguese, Spanish and English.” This highlighted Marta’s extensive linguistic abilities. Her Swedish teammates occasionally teased her about her grammar, yet appreciated her confidence and freedom of expression. Marta’s personality attracted others, fostering engagement. She was humorously referred to as “the teacher’s pet with our general manager because she could get away with anything.” Asante states that Marta was her room-mate, and their personalities were compatible. She was not particularly surprised by this, simply acknowledging, “oh, Marta’s my room-mate.” They found common ground through cultural and upbringing similarities, noting the prevalence of Afro-Brazilian culture in Marta’s background and Asante’s upbringing in an African household. Shared experiences, such as “Our parents talk loud, there’s always music being played, food everywhere and family in and out of the door,” fostered their connection. Asante’s most cherished memories of Marta involve team social events, including an instance where Marta arrived at a post-season party at a teammate’s flat “with a champagne ice cooler,” prompting the thought, “only Marta could do that.” During a Champions League trip to Spain, Marta expressed a desire to shop and repeatedly offered to purchase items for Asante, demonstrating her consistent effort to make others happy. Marta contributed significant energy and charisma, often entering the changing room after victories to begin shaking her hips and dancing. Asante found it amusing that Marta adored dogs and owned a chihuahua in Sweden, which she treated like a baby. She speculates about “dog spa days in her flat” and recalls Marta dancing with the dog, noting the contrast between her “fearless, mentality monster on the pitch, who is just a big softy off it” nature. Asante highlights this duality as part of Marta’s appeal, having come to know her well as a room-mate. During their travels, Marta frequently watched Brazilian soap operas, becoming deeply engrossed in their emotional storylines. Marta appeared completely at ease, often traveling with a guitar and singing Portuguese songs, which Asante described as “serenaded me. It was class.” On the field and during training, Marta exhibited a profound mental conviction. She consistently took responsibility and aimed to create opportunities, displaying a strong desire to regain possession after being tackled. This assertive attitude, described as having an “edge,” was evident, with Asante noting, “You could feel steam coming out of her ears if things weren’t happening the way she wanted it to.” Her body language and exceptional individual skill were instrumental in elevating the team’s performance. Marta is characterized by her immense passion and openness. She shared details of her upbringing and significant life responsibilities with Asante. She effectively leveraged her substantial platform, using her voice to advocate for causes, even when it meant being emotional and vulnerable in the public eye while calling for action. This commitment reflects her continuous desire to do more. Marta is described as a humble individual with a distinct aura, yet she never conveyed a sense of superiority or acted like a superstar. However, there were instances where her legendary status became apparent, such as when people would approach her crying and hugging her in public settings like cafes or bus stops, demonstrating her profound impact. On matchdays, fans would chant Marta’s name, and she commanded the admiration of numerous young individuals who had either heard stories about her or seen her play live. Asante finds it challenging to articulate her unique influence, ultimately describing her as “passionate, humble and just a forever icon.”