By: Avery Lin

Brazilian soccer player Marta has played her sixth and final World Cup. She was born on February 19, 1986.

Marta, 37, played as part of the Brazilian National Soccer Team against Jamaica in her last World Cup game. Marta played in her first World Cup game when she was only 17 years old.

Brazil planned to bring home a World Cup win for Marta, but they were eliminated after playing Jamaica. The score was 0 – 0. This is the earliest Brazil has been eliminated since 1995.

After her last World Cup game, Marta gave an emotional speech. She said that this is the end for her, but not the end for many other women with talent. She hopes that Brazilians will keep supporting the Brazilian team and says that women’s soccer has been growing. It’s now a source of entertainment and pleasure for many to watch women’s soccer.

“I’m very happy with all that has been happening in women’s football in Brazil and in the world,” she continued. “Because for them, it’s just the beginning. For me, it’s the end of the line now.” She was speaking of the many talented younger players on Brazil’s squad. “I’m done here, but they’re still here.”

Marta is clearly not holding grudges against the Jamaican team, because after the match, she and Bunny Shaw had a hug. Bunny Shaw is a Jamaican player but says that she’s been influenced by Marta.

“I just told her that she’s not just an inspiration for me, but for a lot of young girls in the Caribbean and around the world,” Shaw said.

This is still probably the finest moment of Marta’s legacy. She and others have shown to the world that women can be equal to men. She said that when she played her first World Cup game, she was unknown, but now, at her last World Cup game, she is an idol and influence for many girls. She says that she can barely walk outside without parents stopping her to tell her that their children are influenced by her.

This may be the last time we see Marta on the World Cup field but she is not going to be giving up soccer. She will play for the Orlando Pride in the NWSL.

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