BRAZIL legend Marta admitted that defeat in the Olympic women’s football final against the United States was likely her last ever appearance for her country after a remarkable career.
“In the Olympic Games (yes) and probably in official competition,” the 38-year-old said when the question was put to her after Brazil’s 1-0 defeat in the gold medal match in Paris.
“I don’t think you will see me again at the World Cup. I don’t know what might happen or what the plans of the national team are, but my plans are to keep contributing to the team in some way, because this is my life.”
Her comments come after there had been some suggestions she could try to continue representing her country on the pitch until the next World Cup in 2027, which Brazil will host.
The multiple winner of FIFA’s world player of the year award was clutching her silver medal as she spoke after leaving an Olympics as a losing finalist for the third time.
She also played in the Brazil teams that lost out to the USA for gold in 2004 and 2008, and now has more Olympic medals than any other Brazilian footballer, male or female.
“I am not going to disappear from football. 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,” she said. — AFP
