MELBOURNE, Australia — Marta's legendary Women's World Cup career has come to an end after Brazil were eliminated from the 2023 iteration by Jamaica on Wednesday night via a scoreless draw.
Starting her first game for Brazil at this tournament, the attacker proved no more able than her teammates in finding a way through a stubborn and committed Jamaican defence at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, before being substituted in the 81st minute. — Women's World Cup bracket and fixtures schedule The eventual 0-0 draw that resulted sees the Reggae Girlz advance from Group F alongside France and condemning Brazil to their first group stage exit since 1995.
At full-time, she watched on from the dugout as Jamaica stormed the field, celebrating their own historic achievement of advancing to the round of 16.
The 37-year-old had told Brazilian media prior to the departing for Australia that though she wasn't retiring from football, this would be her sixth and final tournament, the living legend declaring that «We have to understand that a time comes for us to prioritise other things.» She made her first appearance on the world's biggest stage back in 2003, bursting onto the scene as a 17-year-old by scoring three goals as Brazil advanced to the quarterfinals.