By: Jonathan Shen

The famous Maria Marta gave an emotional speech at the Women’s World Cup in Australia after Brazil tied with Jamaica meaning that Marta’s country—Brazil—was out.

Marta, who has scored more goals than any female or male player in the World Cup, is a soccer superstar who has been playing soccer since age 17. Now, Marta is 37 and she has played her 6th cup, which will be her last.

This devastating outcome was far from what was expected of the Brazil team when they first arrived at Australia. Just as Argentina brought the Cup to Lionel Messi in the Men’s World Cup, the Brazil team wanted to bring the Cup to Marta. However, Brazil was not able to achieve this goal.

The loss meant that it was the end to Marta’s excellent soccer career. After the game, Marta gave a speech, saying that even in her worst nightmares, she had not dreamed of a World Cup like this.

Marta, with tears glazing in her eyes said, “It’s just the beginning, I’m done here, but they’re still here. I want people in Brazil to continue to have the same enthusiasm they had when the World Cup started. To continue to support. Because things don’t happen overnight. I’m very happy with all that has been happening in women’s football in Brazil and in the world. Keep supporting, because for them, it’s just the beginning. For me, it’s the end of the line now.”

Even though this was Marta’s last World Cup, she isn’t retiring from soccer, she now plays for the Orlando Pride in NWSL. In a press conference a day earlier, Marta reflected on how she, and others, have provided opportunities for women’s equality in soccer.

She says, “Today, we have our own references.” Marta used to be stopped oftenly on the streets by parents who say that their daughters wanted to be just like her. “This wouldn’t have happened if we had stopped in the first obstacles that we faced. … And it didn’t start just with me, but with a lot of the women back then.”