Legendary Brazil attacker Marta has said that the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will be her last.
The 2023 tournament will be the sixth World Cup for Marta, who recovered from a torn ACL suffered last year to make Pia Sundhage’s 23-player squad.
Speaking to reporters in Brazil on Monday, the six-time FIFA World Player of the Year said it was “surreal” to be on the verge of playing in her sixth World Cup.
“Yes, it will be my last World Cup,” the 37-year-old said. “We have to understand that a time comes for us to prioritize other things.
“I just have to be thankful to have lived all those years in the national team. To have the opportunity to go to another World Cup, a sixth one, for me is something surreal.”
Marta made her World Cup debut in 2003, and has the record for the most all-time goals in the tournament with 17. The closest she and Brazil have come to lifting the trophy was in 2007, when they lost to Germany in the final.
Following her recovery from the knee injury, Marta has made 11 appearances in the NWSL this season for the Orlando Pride.
After naming her roster last week, Sundhage said she was unsure if Marta would be used as a starter or off the bench at the World Cup.
“Marta is the queen, she is an icon. Just being around her is contagious,” said Sundhage.
“If she will be in the starting lineup I don’t know, not yet. She will play the role I will give her and I am sure she will do well.”
Brazil has been drawn into Group F of the World Cup, along with France, Jamaica and Panama.
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