FACTOIDS
Full Name: Mariel Margaret Hamm
Nickname: Mia
Birthday: March 17, 1972
Height: 5’5”
Hometown: Selma, Alabama
Sports: Soccer
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PROFILE
Mia Hamm is a former American soccer player. Playing for many years as a forward for the United States women's national soccer team, she scored more international goals in her career than any other player, male or female.
Mia Hamm was the youngest woman ever to make the U.S. National Team, at the age of 15.
Hamm eventually became one of the most famous women athletes in the world, an iconic symbol of women's sports, and an inspiration and role model to a generation of sports-minded girls. She was named the women's FIFA World Player of the Year the first two times that award was given (in 2001 and 2002), and is listed as one of FIFA's 125 best living players (as chosen by Pelé). In 2007, her first year of eligibility, she was selected for induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Hamm declined induction into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 because she was pregnant at the time and the doctor advised her not to travel. Hamm told hall officials she would accept the honor in 2008.
She is the author of Go For the Goal: A Champion's Guide to Winning in Soccer and Life (Harper Collins, 1999).
