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Mia Hamm

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Mia Hamm is one of the most famous soccer players in history.

Mia1997
Mia1997

She played as a forward for the United States national team for many years. A forward is a player who tries to score goals. Hamm was a star who helped make women's soccer very popular. She won many big prizes for her skill. She earned two Olympic gold medals and two FIFA Women's World Cup titles. People often call her a soccer icon because of her great talent.

MiaHamm Stl 1998
MiaHamm Stl 1998

Playing soccer requires a lot of hard work and practice. Hamm learned to love the game while living in Italy. She joined her first official team in Texas when she was five years old. Her father even served as her coach. In college, she played for the North Carolina Tar Heels. She helped that team win four big championships. She was very good at scoring and passing. An assist is when a player passes to a teammate who then scores. Hamm had 144 career assists for her country.

Hamm's journey began when she was very young. She joined the U.S. national team in 1987 at age 15. This made her the youngest player to ever play for the team. She played in four different World Cups starting in 1991. She also led her team in three Olympic Games. In 1996, she played in the very first Olympic tournament for women's soccer. Even with foot and groin injuries, she helped her team win gold in Atlanta.

9 mia hamm in 2003 world cup (72237622)
9 mia hamm in 2003 world cup (72237622)

There are many impressive numbers from her long career. Hamm scored 158 international goals before she retired in 2004. She held the record for the most international goals by any player until 2013. She also played 276 matches for the U.S. team. In 2001 and 2002, she was named the FIFA World Player of the Year. The famous player Pelé even named her one of the 125 greatest living players. She was the first woman ever put into the World Football Hall of Fame.

Today, Mia Hamm is still a big part of the soccer world. She helped start the WUSA, which was the first professional women's league in the U.S. She played for the Washington Freedom in that league. Now, she helps own professional teams like Los Angeles FC and Angel City FC. She also works with famous clubs like FC Barcelona.

Mia Hamm signing an autograph
Mia Hamm signing an autograph

She even wrote a book called *Go For the Goal* to help others. Her story shows how much can be achieved with passion and grit.

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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:Mia1997.JPG
Mia1997.JPG
File:MiaHamm Stl 1998.jpg
MiaHamm Stl 1998.jpg
File:9 mia hamm in 2003 world cup (72237622).jpg
9 mia hamm in 2003 world cup (72237622).jpg
File:Nomar Garciaparra Mia Hamm IMG 9534 (4308082305).jpg
Nomar Garciaparra Mia Hamm IMG 9534...
File:Mia Hamm signing an autograph.jpg
Mia Hamm signing an autograph.jpg
File:US delegation at 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Final at BC Place 2015-07-05 (1).jpg
US delegation at 2015 FIFA Women's World...
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