| If you type those words into your search engine, the | | | | FIFA Player of the Year Award twice. ( In 2001 and |
| answer you will get right now is probably going to be: | | | | 2002). Hamm scored 158 goals in 275 matches in her |
| Cristiano Ronaldo. With looks that rivals super star, | | | | career and played in the Women's World Cup twice |
| David Beckham and the talent to boot, Ronaldo is a | | | | (1991 and 1999). She was also a member of the gold |
| superstar soccer standout that actually can play the | | | | medal Olympic team in 1996. On a personal level, Mia |
| game. Like most little boys, he started playing when | | | | Hamm has always been described as the quiet, and |
| he was young, around age eight but really started to | | | | unassuming member of the team. She is an excellent |
| be noticed two years later. Now, at the relatively | | | | role model, especially for young women who are |
| advanced age of twenty-two, Ronaldo has racked up | | | | bombarded with images of scantily clad, morally |
| 53 goals in over 200 matches. Impressive numbers at | | | | bankrupt pop stars. |
| any age. | | | | Of course, if we are going to talk about Mia Hamm, |
| And what about Beckham? His move from the UK to | | | | we have to talk about Brandy Chastain as well. Even |
| Los Angeles was supposed to spark US interest in | | | | people who could not tell a soccer ball from a bocce |
| the sport of soccer. He is one good looking man, but | | | | ball knows who Brandy is. After a thrilling victory, a |
| his injuries may well keep him from really making the | | | | triumphant Ms. Chastain whipped off her top, |
| sport as popular here as it is worldwide. His | | | | revealing her sport bra and sparking a veritable media |
| professional career began at sixteen when he started | | | | frenzy. Over 90,000 people were in attendance for |
| played for the Manchester United team. He was | | | | that event, not to mention the people watching at |
| asked to join Britain's World Cup Team in 1997. Even | | | | home and the countless replays. It has been on a |
| when he is not playing soccer, Beckham is a popular | | | | variety of sports related count downs, including "Best |
| figure, his endorsement deals and stunning good | | | | Sports Moment Ever" to name just one. Not only did |
| looks make him very, very well known. | | | | she spark interest in soccer for young girls, but the |
| For me, the word "soccer" will always make me think | | | | sale of sports bras jumped dramatically. |
| of Mia Hamm. Her stats are impressive and not just | | | | Every sport has their popular stars. They are not |
| when compared to women- her stats are | | | | always the flashy players, or the best looking. |
| phenomenal across the board. Mia started playing at | | | | Sometimes they are the players that bring something |
| age 12 and just three years later played with the US | | | | extra to the sport and to the world around them. A |
| National Team- making her the youngest to ever play | | | | little touch of class, or a generous soul. Those are |
| for her country at that level. She is one of only two | | | | the players that win hearts and then keep them |
| women listed on soccer great Pele's list of " The 125 | | | | forever. |
| Best Soccer Players of All Times" and has won the | | | | |