Marta’s sixth and final Women’s World Cup ended in despair beyond her “worst nightmares” as Brazil failed to reach the knockout stage in Australia and New Zealand. A goalless draw against Jamaica saw Brazil eliminated as their Caribbean opponents reached the last 16 alongside France.
The 37-year-old Marta’s legacy has long been cemented and she bows out as the greatest scorer in the tournament’s history with 17 goals. After the game, she made it clear the early exit was a dark moment but held out hope for Brazil’s future.
“It’s hard to talk at a time like this,” Marta said. “Not even in my worst nightmares was it the World Cup I dreamed of. But it is only the beginning, the Brazilian people ask for renewal, and there is renewal.
“The only old one is me, most of them [her team-mates] are young girls with enormous talent, it’s just the beginning for them. Marta ends here, there is no more World Cup for Marta.”
Marta will always be one of the most revered players in the women’s game, which she has helped to put on the map. Marta made her World Cup debut in 2003, and although she never led them to a global tournament victory, Brazil reached the final in 2007, losing to Germany. Near-misses for her country extended to the Olympics, with silver medals in 2004 and 2008.
Marta scored 122 international goals in 189 matches.
Credit: bbc.com
