Marta, the World Cup record goalscorer
The ‘queen’ of football wants to become Lionel Messi
06/28/2023, 5:29 p.m
Playing six World Cups is an achievement in itself. For Marta, the tournament in Australia and New Zealand could bring the crowning glory, with Brazil, the 37-year-old finally wants to win the title. She gets fit just in time for that.
Pia Sundhage didn’t hold back on her praise. “Marta is the queen, the icon, it’s just contagious to be around her,” enthused the national coach of the Brazilian soccer team about her superstar. Healed from the cruciate ligament rupture, reserved the seat on the plane – “Queen” Marta finally wants to crown herself at the upcoming World Cup.
The tournament in Australia and New Zealand (July 20th to August 20th) is Marta’s sixth dance on the international stage. Individually, she has long since made her mark, with 17 tournament goals, the World Cup record scorer is also ahead of the male competition around Miroslav Klose. But the triumph with her own country, the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle of her career, is still missing from the trophy cabinet.
And now the final chance awaits. The superstar said it was her last World Cup. Brazil without Marta? Almost unimaginable. But time is running out, at the age of 37 the six-time world footballer is already in the autumn of her career. Now she’s got fit just in time to prove it to everyone one more time.
Archrival Argentina as a role model
Sundhage, who has already led the USA to two Olympic gold medals and a 2011 World runners-up title and her home country Sweden to Olympic silver, continues to believe in Marta’s ability. There are, however, a few remaining doubts. “Whether she’s in the starting lineup? I don’t know yet.” Marta herself doesn’t let herself be slowed down, she would like to start immediately with the world title mission. “Now or never!” is the self-proclaimed route. At the next World Cup she would be 41, the route is not a phrase.
This motivation electrifies Brazil. For the big goal, the view even goes in the direction of arch-rival Argentina. “What they did for Lionel Messi, we want to do for Marta,” said teammate Kerolin: “She deserves it. For what she is.”
The self-image that the Brazilian team, as with the men, is always one of the favorites for the title, is not so pronounced. The good old days when Marta played with her world famous teammates Cristiane and Formiga were a few years ago. In 1999 the Brazilians finished third, in 2007 they only lost in the final against Germany, and at the last two World Cups in 2015 and 2019 they finished ninth and tenth.
But in the friendly match against the DFB team in April, they won 2-1 and showed a lot of determination and assertiveness. And the Brazilians leave no doubt that they have big plans. As a possible round of 16 opponent, another encounter with the should not be a stumbling block. For Marta it would be the long-awaited coronation of the “Queen”.