Brazil’s ‘queen’ Marta unlikely to play for country again

Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer Marta said she has likely played her last game for her country.

The 38-year-old announced in April that she plans to retire from international football this year, but there had been speculation she might play on until the 2027 World Cup, hosted by Brazil.

Orlando Pride forward Marta said Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by the United States in the Paris 2024 gold medal match was her last “in the Olympics and probably in official competition”.

“I don’t think you will see me again at the World Cup,” she added.

Marta leaves with three Olympic silver medals after three defeats by the USA in 2004, 2008 and 2024.

She has never won a major international trophy with Brazil, but goes down as “the best in history” according to Brazil boss Arthur Elias.

“We are all very proud of our national team and our number 10, our queen, Marta,” he added.

Marta’s Olympics in Paris looked to have ended in bitter disappointment when she was sent off in tears for a dangerous tackle in a group-stage defeat by Spain.

The straight red card came with a two-match ban, meaning Marta missed matches against France and Spain en route to Saturday’s final.

Though she was given the chance for a farewell appearance, Marta couldn’t make an impact as a second-half substitute against Emma Hayes’ USA.

Elias said his embrace with Marta at the full-time whistle was a “goodbye hug”, but she plans to stick around in some capacity.

“I am not going to disappear from football,” she said. “I am going to try to contribute somehow to this generation, because they are very talented girls and are well aware of what we can achieve.

“I have spent more than 20 years doing what I love most, and playing a sport that was not always seen as being for women.

“Now we can say that it is one of the most followed sports. Someone had to start that process, so I feel very proud to have contributed and participated in some way so that today people talk much more about women’s football.”