That was until 2022, when she tore her anterior cruciate ligament in April playing for her club side, Orlando Pride. Throughout her long career, Marta was lucky not to suffer serious injuries. “Over the years she’s lost that, and she’s had to adapt her game.” “In her prime, her main attribute was her acceleration,” says Viana. She is unlikely to feature in the starting lineup against Panama, and it remains unclear exactly which function she will play during this World Cup. No one could get near her.”īut now, at 37 years old, Marta plays a decidedly different role in the Brazilian national team. “When I saw Marta breezing past her opponents, my eyes shone. The games were shown in the school canteen and I’d cut class to watch them,” she tells Al Jazeera. “I was in elementary school when Brazil’s women reached the Olympic final in 2004. That’s huge for representation.”Īmanda Viana, women’s football pundit at Planeta Futebol Feminino, was a part of the first generation of Brazilians to be blown away by Marta’s talents. “Suddenly, the greatest ever women’s footballer was Brazilian. “After the ban, Marta’s importance and prestige as a global figure helped the game in Brazil,” explains Michelle Silva, women’s football expert and journalist at Brazilian sport radio station Esporte Band. Marta (10) works the ball in front of Argentina midfielder Clarisa Huber The sport was illegal in the country until the mid-1980s, and Marta was Brazil’s first women’s football superstar. Marta’s influence on women’s football in Brazil cannot be understated. Neither “Queen Marta” nor the Brazilian national team – so historically successful in the men’s game – have won a world championship, something the current squad hope to change this year in Australia and New Zealand. The major gap in the glittering resume of Marta Vieira da Silva’s 23-year career, however, is precisely a World Cup trophy. Midfielders: Duda Sampaio (Corinthians), Kerolin (North Carolina Courage), Luana (Corinthians), Adriana (Orlando Pride), Ana Vitoria (unattached), Ary Borges (Louisville City).įorwards: Andressa Alves (unattached), Geyse (Barcelona), Nycole (Benfica), Bia Zaneratto (Palmeiras), Debinha (Kansas City Current), Gabi Nunes (unattached), Marta (Orlando Pride).Sao Paulo, Brazil – If Marta comes off the bench and takes to the field for Brazil’s Women’s World Cup opener against Panama on Monday, it would mark her sixth and final involvement in the premier competition of women’s football.Īlong with her six World Player of the Year awards, the remarkable feat is set to cement Marta’s place as one of – if not the greatest – women ever to play the sport. Goalkeepers: Leticia Izidoro (Corinthians), Barbara (Flamengo), Camila (Santos).ĭefenders: Antonia (Levante), Bruninha (Gotham FC), Kathellen (Real Madrid), Lauren (Madrid CFF), Monica (Madrid CFF), Rafaelle (unattached), Tamires (Corinthians). The Women's World Cup is taking place in Australia and New Zealand, starting 20 July.īrazil, who have never won the competition, are in Group F along with France, Jamaica and Panama. She will play the role I will give her and I am sure she will do well." "If she will be in the starting line-up I don't know, not yet. Just being around her is contagious," said Brazil manager Pia Sundhage. She also holds the record for the most goals in World Cup tournaments - men's or women's - with 17.
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