Ludmila da Silva Bio
Ludmila da Silva (born 1 December 1994), commonly known as Ludmila, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward. She currently features in the American National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and represents the Brazil national team. Known for her explosive speed and direct attacking play, she has built a career across Brazil, Spain, and the United States, earning a reputation as one of South America’s most dynamic wide forwards.
After beginning her senior career in her native Brazil, Ludmila moved to European football with Atlético Madrid in 2017, where she became a key attacking figure for nearly seven seasons. She later joined the NWSL, first with Chicago Stars FC and then with San Diego Wave FC, while continuing to be a regular member of Brazil’s senior squad.
Early Life and Background
Ludmila da Silva was born on 1 December 1994 in Guarulhos, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. She grew up in a favela and was raised largely by her aunt, as her mother left the family and her father died during her childhood. Her older sister also passed away in 2016, a personal loss she has spoken about in interviews.
She became a high school athletics champion before turning to organized football. Ludmila took up the sport at the relatively late age of 15, an unusual start for a player who would later reach the international stage. Her speed and strength as a young athlete drew early attention from club scouts in the São Paulo area.
Path to Soccer
Ludmila’s entry into club football began when she was noticed by a scout from CA Juventus, a traditional club in the Mooca neighborhood of São Paulo. She moved through the Brazilian women’s game quickly, taking her first steps as a fast and strong winger. Her progression from a late starter to a professional forward in just a few years marked her as a notable talent in the domestic scene.
Early stints at São Caetano, Portuguesa, Rio Preto, and São José gave her consistent playing time and helped refine her finishing and crossing. Her form in the Campeonato Brasileiro Feminino caught the attention of clubs abroad, paving the way for a move to one of the top leagues in Europe.
Ludmila da Silva Career
Early Career (2011–2017)
Ludmila began her senior career in 2011 with CA Juventus, the club that gave her professional opportunities as a teenager. She moved to São Caetano for the 2012 season, then joined Rio Preto in 2013, where she spent one year. In 2015, she signed with São José, one of the traditional powers of Brazilian women’s football, where she played until 2017.
At São José, Ludmila became a more complete attacker, contributing goals and assists in the Campeonato Brasileiro and the Copa Libertadores Femenina. Her consistent performances in Brazil brought her first senior international call-up in 2017 and attracted the interest of European clubs.
Atlético Madrid Breakthrough (2017–2024)
In August 2017, Ludmila agreed to a transfer to Spanish Primera División club Atlético Madrid. Her exceptional pace earned her the nickname “Road Runner” among teammates and supporters. She scored six goals in her first half-season, prompting the club to extend her initial two-year contract by another year in December 2017.
In September 2018, Ludmila assisted the first goal and scored the second to eliminate Manchester City from the 2018–19 UEFA Women’s Champions League Round of 32, securing Atlético’s place in the Round of 16. She spent seven seasons in Madrid, becoming a mainstay in the squad and a key contributor in the Spanish league and European competition. Her time at Atlético established her as one of the most dangerous wide forwards in European women’s football.
Chicago Stars Era (2024–2025)
On 29 July 2024, the Chicago Red Stars announced that they had signed Ludmila to a three-year contract through the 2026 season. She scored her first NWSL goal on 21 September 2024, lifting the team to a 1–0 victory over the San Diego Wave. The Red Stars went on to qualify for the playoffs, where they lost to the Orlando Pride 4–1 in the first round. Ludmila was unable to play in that match, serving a three-game suspension following an altercation with Washington Spirit forward Rosemonde Kouassi.
In a 3–3 draw with the North Carolina Courage on 22 August 2025, Ludmila scored a ten-minute hat-trick to help the Stars come back from a 2–0 deficit. Her flurry of goals set an NWSL record for the fastest hat-trick in league history. She was subsequently named the NWSL Player of the Week for the first time in her career.
San Diego Wave FC (2026–Present)
On 13 January 2026, Ludmila was traded to San Diego Wave FC in exchange for $800,000 in intraleague transfer funds, with a possible additional $200,000, a price that set the record for the second-highest intraleague fee in NWSL history. She made her Wave debut on 14 March 2026, starting and playing the entirety of San Diego’s season-opening loss to the Houston Dash. On 3 April 2026, she scored her first goal for her new club, netting the lone goal in a 1–0 win over Boston Legacy FC.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ludmila is widely recognized for her exceptional straight-line speed, an attribute that defines much of her play. Operating primarily as a winger, she thrives when running at defenders, stretching the field, and driving into the penalty area. Her combination of pace, physical strength, and direct dribbling allows her to be effective in transition and against deep defensive blocks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her career highlights, the ten-minute hat-trick against the North Carolina Courage stands as a defining individual achievement, setting an NWSL record for the fastest hat-trick in league history. Her UEFA Women’s Champions League knockout-stage goal against Manchester City and her appearance in the 2024 Paris Olympic final for Brazil also rank as signature moments.
Ludmila da Silva Career Wins
Ludu da Silva has collected goals and honors across three continents, with senior titles in Brazil and Spain, a senior international medal, and an NWSL record to her name. Her trophy haul is supported by consistent individual production at every club she has represented.
Atlético Madrid Highlights
During her time at Atlético Madrid, Ludmila was a regular contributor in the Spanish Primera División and the UEFA Women’s Champions League. She played a key role in the club’s 2018–19 Champions League knockout-stage victory over Manchester City. Across seven seasons in Madrid, she scored regularly as a winger and became a recognized figure in the Spanish women’s game.
International Achievements
Ludmila was part of the Brazilian under-20 selection at the 2014 South American U-20 Women’s Championship in Uruguay, scoring three goals. At the senior level, she was named to the Brazil roster that competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics and started the final against the United States, which Brazil lost 1–0.
Ludmila da Silva Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ludmila is Afro-Brazilian and was raised in a favela in the greater São Paulo area. She was brought up by her aunt because her mother left the family and her father died during her childhood. Her older sister also passed away in 2016, a period that coincided with her move to Atlético Madrid in the following year.
Personal Life
Ludmila’s personal journey has shaped her public identity, with the athlete often speaking about her upbringing and family losses. She has credited her aunt for raising her and supporting her football career. National team coach Emily Lima, who previously managed her at CA Juventus and São José, has been described by Ludmila as a mother figure.
2025 Season Performance
Ludmila’s 2025 NWSL campaign with Chicago Stars FC was defined by her record-setting scoring burst in late summer. Her ten-minute hat-trick against the North Carolina Courage on 22 August 2025 highlighted her attacking ceiling and led to her first NWSL Player of the Week award. The performance cemented her status as one of the league’s most dangerous wide forwards.
The Stars competed in the 2025 NWSL season with Ludmila as a central figure in their attack, relying on her pace to stretch opposing defenses. Her combination of goals and assists helped drive the team’s offensive output throughout the year. The club’s playoff push the previous season and continued investment in 2025 suggested a team building around her strengths.
Looking forward, Ludmila’s trajectory pointed toward continued prominence in the NWSL and with the Brazil national team. With experience in Spain’s top flight and the UEFA Women’s Champions League, she remained a veteran presence for the Stars and a key option for Brazil’s senior squad heading into subsequent major tournaments.