Marta announces her retirement from the Brazil Women's National Team as the forward holds the ... [+]
Following a decorated career over the past two decades, Brazil’s top goal scorer, Marta, has announced her retirement from international duty with Brazil at the end of 2024. At 38 years old, the forward holds the record for most goals scored in FIFA history with 17 goals.
Marta Makes History For Club And Country
As the top goal scorer among men or women for Brazil with 116 international goals, Marta is also the first player to make 100 appearances for her club team, the Orlando Pride in the NWSL. She joined the club in 2017.
Marta has competed in five Olympics and made history at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as she became the first player to score at five consecutive Olympic Games. However, the 2024 Paris Olympics would mark her final tournament at an international level.
Marta waves to the crowd after Jamaica and Brazil result in a 0-0 draw, which sends Brazil home from ... [+]
“If I go to the Olympics, I will enjoy every moment, because, regardless of whether I go to the Olympics or not, this is my last year with the national team,” said Marta. “There will be no more Marta from 2025 in the national team as an athlete. I am very calm about this, because I see with great optimism this development that we are having in relation to young athletes.”
The legend has played in six FIFA Women’s World Cups while simultaneously winning six FIFA Player of the Year awards, making her the highest female recipient to do so. Although no other female player has won the award more than three times, Marta has been nominated for the award 13 times throughout her career and holding the record for most all-time awards among male or female players.
Marta’s Legacy Lives On With The Pride
Ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Marta also announced that the tournament would be her final World Cup and with Brazil’s 0-0 draw against Jamaica, Brazil made their early exit ahead of the Round of 16.
Although Marta closes out her career with Brazil at the end of this year, Marta continues to make an impact at the club level with the Pride.
Marta retires from her international career with Brazil and continues to play with the Orlando Pride ... [+]
In the first five opening weeks of the NWSL season, Marta has scored two goals for Orlando as both goals have been game-winning goals for the club with 1-0 victories. They sit with the No. 5 rank in the NWSL standings.
Alongside Marta in the NWSL is 40-year-old forward, Christine Sinclair, who also concluded her international career with Canada in Dec. 2023, but still plays with the Portland Thorns at the club level.
Marta’s full interview regarding her retirement announcement will air on CNN this weekend, April 27-28.
