Brazil failed to advance out of the group stage for the first time since 1995, and Marta couldn’t capitalize on the chance to become the first player, woman or man, to score in six World Cups.
But her pending retirement means neither that, nor a Women’s World Cup title, will be a part of her remarkable legacy.
Marta admitted she started getting sentimental as she looked at the moon in Melbourne, trying to summon a way to create or score the goal that Brazil needed to keep progressing at the World Cup. She saw her younger teammates looking for inspiration, and knew she had to dig deep.
“Especially because it was their first World Cup and it’s just the beginning — I won’t play in another World Cup, but they will have other opportunities,” she said. “So I had to stop lamenting. It’s football, we tried from start to finish, we tried to score but the ball didn’t want to go in.”
Marta knows there’ll be critics who’ll have plenty to say about Brazil’s performance here. She’s also reassured there’s enough support for women’s soccer to keep the game growing.
“Women’s football doesn’t end here. Women’s football in Brazil doesn’t end here,” she said. “We need to understand this.”
On the eve of what became her final World Cup game, Marta shed tears as she recalled what it was like two decades ago when she started out. She feels like she’s leaving it in better shape for the next generation.
“I always said that the World Cup wasn’t just about Marta, the World Cup belonged to the national team,” she said. “We started it together and ended it together. Winning or losing, it makes no difference. I’ll stay with the good times, with the work that’s been done so far.”
The Seleção started off strong in their tournament opener, beating Panama 4-0. They lost to France 2-1, setting up a must-win situation against Jamaica in their Group F finale.
Marta came off the bench in Brazil’s first two group-stage matches but returned to the starting lineup against Jamaica. She was subbed off in the 81st minute, making way for a fresher, younger teammate to take up the challenge.
“She’s a trailblazer for us women,” Jamaica forward Cheyna Matthews said. “I can’t thank her enough. I hate that it had to be this way, but this is what she’s been fighting for, is for us all to be able to play this game and play it well and get the recognition.”
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