Brazil has many great players across generations. Perhaps the one who is known the most is Marta, but there are other players who deserve attention as well. One of them is Chicago Stars’ Ludmila da Silva—or simply Ludmila. She’s one of Brazil’s best and is quickly making a name for herself in the NWSL.
Going Through Hardships
Ludmila faced many hardships from a young age. This makes you admire her not just as a player, but also as a human who embodies resilience. She was raised by her aunt in a favela, meaning an impoverished neighborhood. The Brazilian’s upbringing was rough. Growing up with alcoholic parents made Ludmila face a lot of challenges, but she is the type of person to keep going; she has a lot of determination.
Hardships followed her even after she had started her career. She lost her older sister in 2016, but maybe having a kind of family in every team she played for could make a difference. She started playing soccer at the age of 15. From the very beginning, it was clear that Ludmila had the talent and speed to make her successful.
She also shared in an interview with Diario As that she was planning to buy a house for her mom. “I’m still saving to be able to do it. When the moment comes, I’ll do it. In Brazil, I lived with my aunt in São Paulo, in Jaraguá. I grew up living with her. My mum lives in another city – Guarulhos,” she said.
Growing Up In an Orphanage
Part of the hardships Ludmila experienced was growing up in an orphanage for a while. She told Marca, “It was complicated because I was in an orphanage and raised by my aunt. I don’t have many memories because my aunt took me in when I was three. I entered the orphanage when I was one or two. It’s hard to remember anything.”
She also explained why she was there. “Because my parents had alcohol problems. I know from my mother’s side that my father hit her a lot, and us too, and that’s why she decided to put us in an orphanage.”
Despite this rough upbringing, Ludmila keeps trying to have a good relationship with her mother. This kind of character makes it easier to endure hardships on the pitch.
Ludmila’s Club Career
Ludmila started her career with Brazilian clubs. In 2011, she joined CA Juventus before heading to several other clubs. Some of the other clubs she played for in Brazil include São Caetano in 2012, Portuguesa in 2013, Rio Preto in 2013, and São José. At Rio Preto, she scored three goals in just six matches. Her success continued at São José.
Time At Atletico Madrid
A big step in Ludmila’s career was when she joined Atletico Madrid. This made her the first Brazilian ever to join the team. She stayed there from 2017 until 2024. During this period, Ludmila proved lethal in the attacking line. In just seven seasons, she scored 63 goals in 159 appearances. She also helped them reach the Champions League’s quarterfinals.
With Madrid, Ludmila played a crucial role in their domestic titles. While she played with them, the team won the Primera División Femenina two times, the Supercopa Femenina, and the Copa de la Reina. Her speed has been part of her success.
She admitted before that her speed is a strong part of her talent. “My pace is one of the strong points to my game and several kinds of moves are intrinsic in me. It’s a quality I try to make the most of,” she said to Diario AS.
Going to the NWSL
The most recent step in the Brazilian’s career is moving to the NWSL’s Chicago Stars. She recently scored a brace for the Stars in their match against Bay FC. They are lucky to have her, and this is just the beginning. She joined them in July 2024 but is already leaving an impact. The Chicago Stars lost her for three games, though, due to a suspension. It was after she got into an altercation with Washington Spirit’s Rosemonde Kouassi. Hopefully, the team won’t lose her for that long again anytime soon, and she will be part of their rebuild after the departure of coach Lorne Donaldson.
With her contract ending in 2026, Ludmila has much to offer, and she wants to play well. “I can’t wait to put on the jersey and play in front of our fans. I want my soccer and goals to make them very happy when they come to the field,” said Ludmila. “I’m going with the goal of being champions since the first season. I want to keep winning in Chicago. SAMBA!,” she said, according to the Chicago Stars.
Back when she first signed, Chicago Red Stars general manager Richard Feuz had words of his own to say about the signing. “I have had the pleasure of watching Ludmila’s game for years. There is a clear level of talent that has helped Ludmila find success on the pitch, individually as a goalscorer and as a part of Atlético with their championships. I look forward to seeing Ludmila come in and contribute to the Red Stars,” he said.
Time with Brazil
As one of Brazil’s best, Ludmila debuted for the national team in 2017. It was a match against Germany, and she scored her first goal back then. It’s not just that, but Ludmila also contributed to Brazil’s journey in the 2024 Paris Olympics. They managed to win the silver medal in a hard fought match against the United States.
In addition, she was with Brazil when they played at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Off the Pitch
Ludmila isn’t just interesting when she is playing, but she also has a lot to her off the pitch. She shared with Diario AS how she wants to inspire young girls in Brazil. “The only thing I want is to make the most of this experience of playing football, and that the girls in the community I grew up in can see that another world does exist; and apart from that, that through football, they can realize their dreams and get to know other cultures and countries. It is worth making an effort to achieve your dreams,” she said.
One of Brazil’s Best
Today, with everything Ludmila went through and overcame, it is easy to call her one of Brazil’s best. She is just starting with the Chicago Red Stars, but is destined to make history with them. The fans will fall in love with her. At the end of the day, Ludmila is the kind of player you can’t help but admire.
Image via @ludmiladasilva09oficial
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