American · Selma, USA · Born 17 March 1972American soccer forward who became the face of women's soccer, winning two World Cups and two Olympic golds while scoring 158 international goals.
Mariel Margaret Hamm was born on 17 March 1972 in Selma, Alabama, the fourth of six children of Bill and Stephanie Hamm. Born with a partial clubfoot that required corrective shoes as a toddler, Hamm grew up on a series of U.S. Air Force bases around the world as her father's military career moved the family frequently, first discovering soccer as a young child while stationed in Florence, Italy, before the whole family became enthusiastically involved in the sport after returning to the United States. Hamm's talent was evident early: at just 15, she became the youngest player ever called up to the U.S. women's national team, debuting in 1987, though it took her nearly three years and 17 appearances to score her first international goal. She enrolled at the University of North Carolina in 1989, and over four seasons led the Tar Heels to four consecutive NCAA national championships, a dynasty so dominant the school retired her No. 19 jersey the year she graduated. Hamm became the defining figure of the U.S. women's national team's rise to global prominence, helping the Americans win the inaugural Women's World Cup in 1991 as a teenager and a second title in 1999, when the tournament's soaring popularity — capped by a sold-out Rose Bowl final decided on penalties — marked a watershed moment for women's sport in the United States. She added Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2004, and was twice named FIFA World Player of the Year, in 2001 and 2002. Hamm retired in 2004 with 158 international goals, a world record for either gender at the time, later surpassed by her own U.S. teammate Abby Wambach in 2013. She scored 158 goals and provided 144 assists across 276 appearances for her country. In 1999, she established the Mia Hamm Foundation in memory of her brother Garrett, who died from complications related to a rare blood disease, supporting families facing bone marrow transplants and funding opportunities for young women in sport. She was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2007 and later became a co-owner of Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC.
Held the record for most international goals scored (158) until 2013
How They Played
Versatile forward with exceptional pace, clinical finishing, and intelligent movement
Lasting Impact
Pioneered women's soccer in America and became the sport's first global female superstar
Career Honours
- FIFA World Cup Winner 1991, 1999
- Olympic Gold 1996, 2004
- FIFA World Player of the Year 2001, 2002
- FIFA World Cup 1991
- FIFA World Cup 1999
- Olympic Gold 1996
- Olympic Gold 2004
- FIFA World Player of the Year 2001
- FIFA World Player of the Year 2002
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Freedom | 2001–2003 | — |
 USA | — | 276 |
American Athletes