After a stunning, 21-year career as a Brazilian footballer, Miraildes Maciel Mota, aka Formiga, has retired from football. It is not surprising that this football legend has played for so long – “Formiga” means “Ant” in Portuguese. Ants have a virtually universal reputation for perseverance, and Formiga, at 38 years old, has certainly lived up to her name.

The Daily Ant wishes Formiga well in whatever noble endeavors she pursues in her later years, and we thank the footballer for her long service as a joyous standard-bearer of the ways of the ant.