Marta top of the world again

Umeå IK striker Marta emulated compatriot Kaká by being voted 2007 FIFA Women's World Player, retaining the title she won last year.

Honours
The 21-year-old helped Brazil to their first FIFA Women's World Cup final in China in September when she was named player of the tournament. She was also the key for Umeå as they reached the 2006/07 UEFA Women's Cup final, earned a place in this season's last four, and retained their Swedish title, scoring a league-leading 25 goals in the process. In the poll of national team coaches and captains, Marta finished ahead of Germany and 1. FFC Frankfurt forward Birgit Prinz, a three-time award winner, and in third was Brazil's Cristiane, who began the year with VfL Wolfsburg. Marta said: "I would like to thank God for allowing me to have this moment of great joy, and of course, I give thanks to all of my team-mates for my club and national team."