“Marta ends here. There is no World Cup for Marta now.”
Brazilian women’s soccer ‘legend’ Marta (37)’s last challenge ended in a ‘nightmare’.
Brazil was eliminated in the group stage of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on the 2nd (local time).
Brazil, ranked 8th, ended in a 0-0 draw in the final Group F match against Jamaica, ranked 43rd, at the Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.스포츠토토
Jamaica kept second place (1 win, 2 draws), and Brazil was pushed to third place in the group (1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss) and failed to advance to the tournament.
Brazil, which had to win to advance to the round of 16, pushed Jamaica one-sidedly, but failed to score.
Marta started for the first time in this tournament and led her team’s attack, but it was not enough.
Marta, who scored 17 goals in the Women’s World Cup and holds the record for the most goals in the tournament, was in her 6th World Cup.
He announced that he would retire from his active career after this tournament.
In his last World Cup stage, he led Brazil to its first ever victory and tried to erase the regretful memory of finishing runner-up in the 2007 Chinese tournament.
However, his dream was in vain in the group stage.
The moment his elimination was confirmed, he left the arena with bloodshot eyes and burst into tears during the press conference.
“It’s very difficult to talk in these circumstances,” said Marta. “The World Cup stage I’ve been dreaming of has become my worst nightmare.”
But Marta said ‘hope’ more.
“Brazilian women’s soccer is only just beginning. Fans are demanding a generational change, and a generational change is taking place,” he said, stressing that “I am the only old person on the team, and most of my colleagues are young girls with great talent.”
Marta looked difficult to participate in this tournament due to a knee injury, but was selected as a surprise.
Brazilian coach Pia Sundghage was well aware that Marta’s place in the team was absolute.
The path Marta has taken is the history of women’s soccer in Brazil. Most of her juniors who competed in this tournament grew their dream of becoming a player by watching Marta play.
“When I was young, there were no idols in women’s football,” Marta said.
“Twenty years ago, at my first World Cup, no one knew who Marta was,” she said.