Brazilian soccer legend Marta says the 2023 Women’s World Cup will be her last
Heading into her sixth World Cup, Brazilian star Marta said on Monday it will be her last.
37-year-old Marta is widely regarded as one of the best players in women’s football history, but has failed to win the World Cup trophy in five previous attempts.
“Yes, it will be my last World Cup,” Marta told journalists in Brasilia on Monday, shortly before the selection boarded the plane to the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. “We need to understand that there comes a time when we need to prioritize other things.”
Brazil coach Pia Sundhage said in an interview with The Associated Press last month that six-time world player of the year Marta may not be in the starting line-up for Brazil right away as she recovers from a left knee injury. .
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Marta played a few minutes on Sunday, as Brazil defeated Chile 4-0 in the final friendly before the trip.
Marta underwent surgery last year to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which led to an 11-month absence from the national team. Sundhage, who led the United States to two Olympic gold medals, called up Marta for friendlies against England and Germany in April, but the striker remained in Florida to recover from a muscle injury in her left leg.
Brazil, one of three South American teams in the tournament, is in Group F, along with France – the team that eliminated the Brazilians in the round of 16 four years ago – Jamaica and Panama.
Brazil’s first game is against Panama on July 24 in Adelaide.
