Formiga

Miraildes Maciel Mota, universally known as Formiga (Portuguese for "ant"), is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. She is the most capped football player in Brazil national team history, with 234 appearances, and the only player in the world to have competed in seven FIFA Women's World Cups and seven Olympic Games tournaments. Formiga's career spanned 26 years with the national team, the longest tenure in football history. As of 2026, she works as Director of Football Policies and Women's Football and remains active as a FIFA Legend and PSG Legend. [edit]

Formiga was born in Salvador, Bahia, in 1978, at a time when it was illegal for women to play football in Brazil. When she was nine, her family moved to Camaçari. She started playing football at age 12, but faced fierce opposition from her brothers, who sometimes beat her for wanting to join their games. Her mother, Dona Celeste, was her biggest champion, taking her to play futsal for the local club Euroexport. During a teenage match, a spectator gave her the nickname "Formiga" (ant), saying she looked like an ant playing against bigger, older male players. The only girl among five children, Formiga left home for Salvador's suburbs and later moved south to São Paulo, where her club provided her with a place to live. [edit]

Formiga made her Brazil national team debut in 1995 and played in her first Olympic Games in 1996. She went on to appear at every World Cup and Olympics through 2021. Her club career took her from Brazilian sides like Saad and São Paulo to Malmö FF Dam in Sweden and a loan spell with the New Jersey Wildcats, where she scored 13 goals in 12 appearances. She later played in France for Paris Saint-Germain. In 2021, she earned her 234th and final cap in a 6-1 win over India at the International Women's Football Tournament of Manaus. After retiring, she was appointed Director of Football Policies and Women's Football. [edit]

Formiga is celebrated as a pioneer and legend of women's football, admired for her resilience and record-breaking longevity. Her Instagram handle is oficial_formiga, where she shares updates on her work with FIFA Legends and PSG Legends. She is known for her humble demeanor and dedication to growing the women's game. No official fandom name is documented. [edit]

Miraildes Maciel Mota, known universally as Formiga, stands as a titan of women's football whose legacy is defined by unprecedented longevity rather than pop-culture metrics. Her career spanned 26 years with the Brazilian national team, making her the most capped player in history and the only athlete to compete in seven FIFA Women's World Cups and seven Olympic Games tournaments. This sheer endurance has cemented her status as a living legend within the sport. Despite her global recognition among football enthusiasts, iFANN's Global Fame Engine evaluated her profile in August 2026 and determined that she currently holds no placement in the published Global Top 1,000 rankings or any specific Top-100 scope list. She remains an EVALUATED_UNRANKED figure in the current data set, meaning her fame is concentrated deeply within the domain of professional sports rather than the broader general public sphere tracked by these specific indices. The fanbase surrounding Formiga does not operate under a formal, documented fandom name distinct from the supporters of the Brazilian Women's National Team. While Portuguese fans occasionally use playful terms like *Formigueiros* to describe themselves, this lacks official status. Her digital presence is anchored by her Instagram handle @oficial_formiga, where she maintains a direct connection with over 376,000 followers who follow her transition into roles as a FIFA Legend and PSG Legend. There are no recorded instances of organized fan campaigns, subway advertisements, or subreddits dedicated solely to her individual brand; her support is intrinsic to the broader admiration for her historic achievements.[edit]

Born Miraildes Maciel Mota, her nickname "Formiga" means ant in Portuguese, a moniker given by a spectator who saw her scurrying among larger players with relentless energy. As the only girl among five siblings, she started playing when football was still illegal for women in Brazil, guided initially by her mother to futsal practice. She famously uses the 🤟🏾 emoji in her social media bio. Beyond her biography, two legendary moments define her mythos. The first is her record-breaking appearance in seven FIFA Women's World Cups, a feat unmatched in history that saw her play at age 41 in 2019, proving that endurance could outlast physical decline. The second is her clutch performance in the 2008 Beijing Olympic semi-final against Germany. Scoring a vital goal at Shanghai Stadium, she delivered one of the most celebrated strikes in tournament history, silencing doubts about her age and capability. These stories are not just statistics but the core of her identity as the tireless ant who refused to be swatted away by time or opposition.[edit]

Formiga was born to a humble family in Salvador, the only daughter among five children. Her mother, Dona Celeste, was a crucial supporter who encouraged her football dreams. Her brothers initially opposed her playing, but she persevered. As of 2026, Formiga is in a relationship with Erica JFM, who is listed as her assistant and partner on Instagram with a wedding ring emoji. No children are publicly known. [edit]

Formiga's mother, Dona Celeste, was her earliest supporter. Her partner Erica JFM is mentioned on her Instagram. She has been associated with FIFA Legends and PSG Legends since retirement. [edit]

Public information on Formiga's dating history is limited. As of 2026, she appears to be in a committed relationship with Erica JFM, as indicated by her Instagram bio which includes a wedding ring emoji. No previous relationships are documented in available sources. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Formiga's net worth in 2026 is estimated at around $1 Million. This valuation reflects her extensive earnings from a professional football career spanning Brazil, Sweden, France, and the United States. Following her retirement from international duty in 2021, her income streams have shifted toward her administrative role as Director of Football Policies and Women's Football. Additionally, she continues to generate revenue through appearances and events as a designated FIFA Legend and PSG Legend. No major commercial endorsements or independent business ventures are publicly known to contribute significantly to her financial standing.[edit]

Formiga has been named an IFFHS Legend and a FIFA Legend. No specific competition awards were detailed in available sources. [edit]