Brazilian legend Marta will retire from international football this year.
The 38-year-old confirmed the news in an interview with CNN Eportes S/A broadcast on Sunday, saying she was at peace with her decision given the promising future of the Brazil national team, which has a strong talent pool young talents on the rise.
“It’s my last year, and I can already confirm it here. There is a moment where we have to understand that the time has come,” Marta told CNN. “I am very calm about this, because I see with great optimism this evolution that we are experiencing in relation to young athletes.”
Marta has competed in five Olympics throughout her career, winning silver medals in 2004 and 2008. It remains to be seen whether she will be chosen to represent Brazil at the Paris Olympics this summer, but she said that , whatever it was, it won’t be anymore. with the team in 2025.
“If I go to the Olympics, I will enjoy every moment, because it doesn’t matter if I go or not, it’s my last year with the national team”, Marta told CNN. “As of 2025, Marta is no longer an athlete in the national team.”
GO FURTHER
Marta calls for support for women’s football after World Cup final elimination
Marta’s impact on women’s football has been paramount.
This was evident after his emotional farewell from the World Cup last year. In a tear-filled press conference that went viral, she told a room full of journalists: “We ask the next generation to continue where we left off: continue to inspire even more girls and boys , regardless of their age. »
In January, she received a FIFA Special Award “for more than 20 years of remarkable service to sport”. She joined Canadian Christine Sinclair, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and fellow Brazilian Pelé to receive the honour. Marta was also voted the best player in the world six times between 2006 and 2018.
From 2025, FIFA also announced that it would introduce the “Marta Award” for the best goal scored in women’s football.
Although Marta says she will retire internationally after the Olympics, she remains under contract with the Orlando Pride through the end of the 2024 season. The team is undefeated and faces the Washington Spirit at Audi Field on Friday.
(Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images)