SAO PAULO — Going into her sixth World Cup, Brazil star Marta stated Monday that this will probably be her final.

The 37-year-old Marta is extensively thought of probably the greatest gamers within the historical past of girls’s soccer however has but to elevate the World Cup trophy in 5 earlier makes an attempt.

“Yes, it will be my last World Cup,” Marta instructed journalists in Brasilia on Monday, shortly earlier than the squad boarded a aircraft to the event in Australia and New Zealand. “We have to understand that a time comes for us to prioritize other things.”

Brazil coach Pia Sundhage stated in an interview with The Associated Press final month that Marta, who has been the world participant of the yr six instances, will not be within the beginning lineup for Brazil straight away whereas she continues to get well from a left knee harm.

Marta performed for a couple of minutes on Sunday, when Brazil beat Chile 4-0 in its final pleasant earlier than the journey.

“I can only be thankful to have lived all those years in the national team,” added Marta, who's Brazil’s all-time main scorer with 117 targets. “Having the chance of going to another World Cup, my sixth, is surreal to me.”

Marta had surgical procedure to restore a torn anterior cruciate ligament final yr, resulting in an 11-month absence from the nationwide crew. Sundhage, who led the United States to 2 Olympic gold medals, known as up Marta for friendlies in opposition to England and Germany in April however the ahead remained in Florida to get well from a muscle harm in her left leg.

Brazil, considered one of three South American groups within the event, is in Group F together with France - the crew that eradicated the Brazilians 4 years in the past within the spherical of 16 - Jamaica and Panama.

Brazil’s first recreation is in opposition to Panama on July 24 in Adelaide.

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