Brazilian football icon Marta has announced her decision to retire from international football this year, marking the end of an illustrious era. At 38 years old, Marta holds the prestigious title of Brazil’s all-time leading goal-scorer in both men’s and women’s football, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
With the potential for her sixth Olympic Games appearance looming this summer in Paris, Marta’s retirement adds a poignant layer to her final international outings. Expressing her sentiments to CNN in Brazil, she emphasized her intention to savor every moment, recognizing that regardless of her Olympic participation, this marks her farewell year with the national team.
Marta’s remarkable career boasts numerous accolades, including Olympic silver medals from Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, where Brazil fell short against the United States. Additionally, she holds the record for the most goals scored in World Cup history, across both genders, with 17 goals in 23 appearances spanning six tournaments. Despite Brazil’s near-misses in major tournaments, such as the 2007 World Cup final loss to Germany, Marta’s impact on the sport transcends individual accolades, as she passes the torch to the next generation of Brazilian footballers with confidence in their abilities to continue her legacy.
