Marta Describes Brazil’s 2023 Women’s World Cup Exit As ‘Nightmare’

The all-time highest goalscorer in the Women’s World Cup and Brazilian icon, Marta, has described her country’s group stage exit from the 2023 Women’s World Cup as her ‘worst nightmare’.

Following a scoreless tie with Jamaica earlier today, August 2, Brazil was eliminated from the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Hence, Jamaica and France moved on to the round of 16 from Group F.

After 80 minutes in the game against Jamaica, Marta was substituted to a rousing applause from the spectators. After the game, she told reporters that the edition of the tournament was the last in her football career.

The 37-year-old Marta who has played six FIFA World Cups in the last 20 years and scored a world record 17 World Cup goals said he never dreamed of featuring in a World Cup in which Brazil can not even qualify from the group stage.

She said Brazil’s early elimination was a disappointing development, but she also voiced hope for the team’s future.

“It’s hard to talk at a time like this,” Marta said.

“Not even in my worst nightmares was it the World Cup I dreamed of. But it is only the beginning, the Brazilian people ask for renewal, and there is renewal.

“The only old one is me, most of them [her team-mates] are young girls with enormous talent, it’s just the beginning for them.

“Marta ends here, there is no more World Cup for Marta.”

Marta has never won the World Cup with Brazil but has led the team to the 2007 World Cup final after making her World Cup debut in 2003. In 2004 and 2008, she helped Brazil to win Silver in Olympics.

The Brazilian federation reports that Marta scored 122 goals in 189 international games. She has represented 11 clubs in South America, North America, and Europe throughout her 23 years as a club player, winning six World Player of the Year awards.

She played for Santos, winning the South American Champions League’s Copa Libertadores in 2009, and has been a member of Orlando Pride since 2017.

She won the league championship in Sweden with Umea IK in four consecutive seasons from 2005 to 2008, Tyreso FF in 2012, and FC Rosengard in 2014 and 2015.