Brazilian football legend Marta has announced that she will retire from international football this year. The 38-year-old striker, who is Brazil’s all-time leading goal-scorer in international football, plans to make her sixth appearance at the Olympic Games if she is selected for Brazil’s squad this summer in Paris.
Marta made the announcement in an interview with CNN in Brazil, stating, “If I go to the Olympics, I will enjoy every moment because, regardless of whether I go or not, this is my last year with the national team. There will be no more Marta from 2025 in the national team as an athlete.”
Throughout her career, Marta has achieved numerous accolades and records. She has won Olympic silver medals at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, narrowly losing to the United States on both occasions. Marta is also the all-time leading goal-scorer in World Cups, both men’s and women’s, with 17 goals in 23 appearances across six editions of the tournament.
Despite her individual success, Marta’s dream of winning a World Cup has eluded her. The closest she came to glory was in 2007 when Brazil finished as runners-up to Germany. However, after Brazil’s disappointing performance at last summer’s World Cup, Marta declared that “there is no more World Cup for Marta.”
Marta has been playing club football for Orlando Pride since 2017 and feels confident in passing the torch to Brazil’s next generation of talented footballers. She believes that the team has a bright future and said, “We have a really qualified team with really talented girls who, as the years go by, you will see what I’m talking about. Because of this, I feel very comfortable saying: ‘Listen, I’m passing on to you, I’m going to pass on the baton and you continue to carry on this legacy.'”
Marta’s retirement marks the end of an era for Brazilian women’s football. Her incredible skills, leadership, and dedication have inspired countless aspiring footballers around the world. While her departure from the international stage will be felt, it is also an opportunity for the next generation of Brazilian players to step up and make their mark on the sport. Marta’s legacy will undoubtedly endure, and her impact on women’s football will be remembered for years to come.