By: Gabby Zhou

Marta Vieira da Silva, also known as Marta, has played for Brazil in a total of 6 World Cups. After Brazil’s earlier-than-anticipated exit from the world cup, she delivers a passionate postgame speech that gave many people chills. The crowd was shocked by Brazil’s exit from the World Cup. The last time Brazil was eliminated at this early stage was in 1995.

Marta’s first World Cup was when she was 17 in 2003. Now, she is 37, and 2023 will be her last World Cup. She said to the younger players on Brazil’s team, “It’s just the beginning, I’m done here, but they’re still here.” NPR, 2023

This outcome was far from their goal when the Brazilian team first arrived in Australia. They wanted to bring home the trophy for Marta’s last game like Argentina’s men’s team did for Lionel Messi in December. “And for Marta, Brazil’s exit at this tournament marks the end of her spectacular international soccer career.” NPR, 2023

Marta holds the record for the most World Cup goals scored, women or men, with 17 goals. “She was the first player to score in five consecutive Women’s World Cups, debuting at the 2003 tournament. 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 in the goalless draw.” Vanguard, 2023

Although it was made clear that this would be the last World Cup she will continue to compete, as she still plays for the Orlando Pride in National Women’s Soccer League NWSL.

“When I started playing, I didn’t have an idol, a female idol. You guys didn’t show any female games,” she said in Portuguese. “How was I supposed to see other players? How was I supposed to understand that I could arrive at a national team and become a reference?” Now, there are more and more women as references as more women are also playing soccer, unlike in the past.

“Today we have our own references,” she said, adding she is often stopped on the streets by parents who say their daughters want to be just like Marta. “This wouldn’t have happened if we had stopped at the first obstacles that we faced. … And it didn’t start just with me, but with a lot of the women back then.” She is very glad that now, women are references for many young soccer players today.

When she first competed in the World Cup, no one knew her name. Now she is known everywhere as she says farewell from her last World Cup.