You can find everything about the World Cup: Competition news, topics, Futistietäjä, program, results and statistics on ‘s World Cup website here.
On Wednesday, a remarkable World Cup career ended, when the Brazilian football legend Marta played his last match at the World Cup.
The end result was a severe disappointment for Brazil and Marta, 37. Brazil missed the group stage for the first time since the 1995 Games in Sweden.
– It’s hard to talk at a time like this. I didn’t imagine such a World Cup tournament even in my worst nightmares, but this is just the beginning, Marta said, referring to the team’s many young players.
– I’m the only old woman here. Most of the players are girls with a lot of skill and a long way to go. My road ends here, but they continue, Marta said.
Read also: Total disaster! Brazil’s worst tournament in 28 years, Marta’s World Cup career ended in severe disappointment
The sport developed during Marta’s time
Marta stated at first that she could not find the words. In the end, however, the Brazilian legend gave his last speech on the World Cup turf.
He said he wants the Brazilians to maintain the same passion with which they have followed the World Cup since the beginning. He also talked about how women’s football has developed over the years.
– We see teams that conceded seven, eight or even ten goals before the World Cup and now they are fighting on an equal footing against the biggest countries. This shows the development of women’s football.
– It shows that women’s football is a profitable product and that people enjoy watching it. So I hope everyone will continue to support.
Marta also confirmed that the World Cup will be her last.
– I am very grateful that I got the opportunity to play in this World Cup again and I am happy with what has happened in women’s football around the world.
– Support, as you have supported, because this is just the beginning for others. For me, this was the final whistle. Thank you, Marta finished her speech.
You can also watch Marta’s comments in the following video.
From a solver to a social influencer
Marta, who has played in the national team for more than 20 years, is one of the greatest footballers of all time. He is the all-time top scorer in World Cup football with 17 goals. In total, he has completed 115 goals for the national team, making him Brazil’s all-time top scorer.
Sports experts Essi Sainio and Heidi Pihlaja emphasize Marta’s importance to football and women who play football.
– Admittedly, Marta’s importance is really great. He has been one of the first players to come prominently to Europe. In my opinion, he is actually the first really skilled player who took football in a different direction just by his own playing, says Sainio.
– His growth story is also quite incredible. From a solver to a social influencer. It is such a development that one can only admire.
Pointed the way
Pihlaja points out that Marta has been a well-known face even to those who have not necessarily followed women’s or men’s football.
– Marta has been a face that is known. Oh Marta, he plays football, says Pihlaja.
– She has been showing a lot of the way and appreciation for other women and girls as well, why not also for boys and men in football. Marta is a respected face both on and off the field.
Humble before the sport
Pihlaja also highlights how Marta’s focus has always remained on the most important issues, for example the rights of women and girls.
– They are clearly important to him. He has really focused on bringing out the things that are important to him.
– It can be seen from him that even though he has been at the top of the world for many years and is really well known, he has always remained humble in front of the sport. He doesn’t think he’s bigger than the species, but he still knows his own value to the species. It’s a really admirable quality, says Sainio.
When the whistle blew to end Marta’s World Cup career, the legend who was substituted in the match went to thank and congratulate the opposing players and the head coach Lorne Donaldson.
– I can’t help but compare Qatar to the men’s World Cup, when Cristiano Ronaldo left the World Cup arena as captain for perhaps the last time. She cooled down in the booth and now Marta showed her own personality in a different way, Pihlaja commented on the broadcast.
A touching moment on the grass
Marta also had a long conversation with the Jamaican captain, by Khadija Shaw with. The conversation ended with a warm hug.
– I think this describes Marta’s greatness as a person. At the moment of defeat, he chose to give a speech to the opponent’s young captain and encourage them to move on. He has been a big face both on and off the field and has always performed his duties in style, says Pihlaja.
You can watch Marta’s speech to Shaw in the following video.
– I was terribly sensitized by the recent episode. Somehow I feel it in my bones and core that Marta knows what she has done, and now it is her job to share it with the younger players, commented Sainio.
In the video below, you can watch the atmosphere from Marta’s last match.
You can find everything about the World Cup: Competition news, topics, Futistietäjä, program, results and statistics on ‘s World Cup website here.