By: Chloe Cheng

37-year-old Brazilian-Swedish soccer player Marta Vieira da Silva gave a heartfelt speech after losing a World Cup game against Jamaica. It was also her very last professional game ever.

Marta, a six-time winner at FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), is known as one of the best soccer players of all time. At a young age, she showed her passion for soccer, practicing often to sharpen her skills. She soon joined teams as she continued to improve, and eventually qualified for the women’s national team, leading Brazil to several years of success globally. As an individual, she holds the record of scoring the most goals (17), in the FIFA World Cup, a feat that is yet to be beaten.

On the last national game of Marta’s career, the entire team was determined to have their biggest win yet to send Marta off. Despite their eagerness, fate brought them on a different path.

After a 0-0 draw against Jamaica, Marta departed from her 20-year career with a bittersweet farewell speech. She expressed her gratitude towards her teammates, her country, and specified the change she saw regarding gender equality: “When I started playing, I didn’t have an idol, a female idol. You guys didn’t show any female games.” Over the years, women who participated in sports are slowly being recognized and respected, and now “we have our own references,” she says in address to the young girls dreaming to do what Marta does.

Most importantly, she acknowledges the younger players on the team, encouraging them forward, as “it’s just the beginning.”

Even though Marta left her career on a slightly disappointed note, her legacy stays in the hearts of the Brazilians and all those who have watched her grow into the successful woman she came to be, supporting her as she moves on to the next stage of her life.

Original Article: https://www.npr.org/2023/08/02/1191630255/brazil-women-world-cup-marta-legacy