Marta called to play a sixth World Cup with Brazil, opponent of the Blue in the group stage

“It will definitely be my last World Cup.” Brazilian striker Marta, 37 and considered by some to be the best player of all time, has been selected with the Seleçao, Wednesday, June 28, to play the next World Cup in Australia and New Zealand (July 20 to August 20), his sixth and probably his last.

Under contract with the American team Orlando Pride, the number 10 returned from a serious right knee injury, which kept her away from the field for almost a year. “It is logical that I am no longer the Marta of 20 years ago, but physically I am very well and mentally even better”said the one who will find the Bleues of Hervé Renard in the group stage (July 29 at 12 p.m., to follow exclusively on France Télévisions).

Brazil coach Pia Sundhage of Sweden praised the presence of the top scorer in the history of the World Cup (17 achievements, one more than the male record holder Miroslav Klose) : “Marta is the queen, the iconshe said. She is generous and she has a lot of energy. Will she hold? I do not know yet. But I am certain that she will fulfill the role that I will give her to the best of my ability”. World vice-champion in 2007 and twice Olympic vice-champion (2004 and 2008), six times voted FIFA’s best player, Marta is still in search of planetary consecration.

In addition to Marta, the manager of the Seleçao has bet on youth by largely renewing her selection compared to the 2019 World Cup, where Brazil had been eliminated in the round of 16 by the Blues. Of the 23 players called up by the Swedish coach, eleven will make their World Cup debut.