“It means so much,” she said, visibly emotional. “We worked so hard from the beginning and — wow. I waited so long for this moment. This team deserves [it] because we showed we can do [it] from the first game this season, then we keep doing [it], and I hope we’re going to go for more.”

Marta, who opened the scoring in the 56th with a penalty kick, has been with the Pride for eight years and has witnessed the ups and downs of the team. “I’ve been here for eight years, so I try to find out why I still love to be here, to play for this team, to represent the community in Orlando,” she said.

“Tonight, I had the answers, you know? I think when you believe about something, and then you know you can do that, and you just put me in your mind, like, ‘I’m not going to give up.’ And then I did that. I stayed here because I want to make history with this team. And then we did tonight, and then we go for more,” she concluded.

Orlando’s history has largely been marked by struggles and disappointing seasons. The Pride finished in the bottom three of the standings in five of their seven seasons before this campaign, including a last-place finish in 2019, where they conceded 53 goals in 24 games—a record still tied for the most goals allowed in a single season. This Shield represents a significant turnaround for a club that has long been searching for success.

Pride joins a select list of teams to win the NWSL Shield

Orlando’s win makes them just the fifth franchise to win the NWSL Shield, which is awarded annually to the team that finishes first in the regular-season standings. Last year, San Diego Wave FC claimed the title in their debut season.

Other teams that have previously won the Shield include the Portland Thorns, Seattle Reign, and the Western New York Flash/North Carolina Courage franchise, which moved to North Carolina in 2017.

In the third round of the women’s football group stage Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Brazil and Spain face off to determine their final positions in a tightly contested group that also includes Japan and Nigeria.

In a first half where neither team could find the back of the net, the most noteworthy moment came at the end, featuring one of the greatest players in football history. The match remained goalless, but a dramatic incident involving the iconic player stole the spotlight just before the break.

Just minutes before the halftime whistle in the match against Spain, Marta was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge. The incident, which saw Marta deliver a harsh kick that narrowly missed the head of Spain’s Olga, led to her immediate dismissal from the game.

At 38 years old, Marta has announced her official retirement from the Brazilian national team. The forward, who holds the record for the most goals scored in FIFA World Cup history with 17, leaves behind an unparalleled legacy in women’s football.

Marta’s achievements with Brazilian jersey

Throughout her illustrious career, Marta has represented the Brazilian national team in multiple Olympic Games. Her standout achievements with the Verdeamarela came during the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympics, where she secured silver medals on both occasions.

On the individual front, Marta’s exceptional talent was recognized by FIFA in 2010 when she was awarded the Ballon d’Or for Best Player. Additionally, in 2018, she was honored with The Best FIFA Women’s Player award, further cementing her status as one of the game’s all-time greats.

Marta is one of the most, if not the most, recognized legends of women’s soccer. The Brazilian star is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time and a role model, but she is now saying goodbye to the Women’s World Cup after playing six tournaments.

Brazil’s 0-0 draw with Jamaica leaves the South American team out of the Round of 16 of the tournament. That means that the Orlando Pride player, who is also a silver medal winner in the Olympics, will end her career without a title at the big stage, having reached the final in 2007.

However, that doesn’t mean that Marta’s legacy has been tarnished. On the contrary, she always will be considered as one of the trailblazers in the sport, not only in her home country but for the whole world. So, how has Marta reacted to her goodbye? Check out her emotional words after being eliminated.

Marta: ‘I want people to continue the same enthusiasm for the World Cup’

After the match against Jamaica, in which she played from the start for the first time this World Cup, Marta confirmed this was his last game in the competition: “The World Cup ends for me; there will be no more World Cups for Marta. For me, this is the end of the road. It’s a difficult moment; it wasn’t what I dreamed of, not even in the worst of nightmares,” said the star, who was considered the best female footballer in the world six times throughout her entire career.

“The Brazilians had asked for a renewal, and now they have it. I believe I’m the only ‘old’ player here. Many of these talented girls are very young with a long path ahead. It’s just the beginning for them. I want people to continue with the same enthusiasm for the World Cup, to keep supporting it. Things don’t happen overnight,” added the player.

Marta arrived at the championship after recovering from a knee operation. It was also the first time she didn’t score a goal in a World Cup, after being the first person (woman or man) to score 17 goals in the WC. No one has more.

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is here and it’s the perfect chance to watch some of the biggest players in just one place. One of the most recognized legends of women’s soccer is Brazil’s Marta, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

With Brazil, Marta is a World Cup runner-up (2007), and a silver medal winner (2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics). Meanwhile, at a club level, she is currently playing for NWSL team Orlando Pride.

However, she has triumphed in Sweden, winning seven championship leagues and the Champions League when it was previously known as the UEFA Women’s Cup in 2004. She also won the Copa Libertadores in 2009 with Santos.

How old is Marta?

Marta was born on February 19, 1986. She is 37 years old. She is one of the most veteran players at the current World Cup, but not the oldest. Canada’s Christine Sinclair and Nigeria Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi are both 40 years old.

How tall is Marta?

Marta is reportedly 1.62 m tall, or 5 feet 4 inches tall. Marta is renowned for her exceptional skills, speed, and goal-scoring ability, which have earned her numerous accolades and records throughout her career, which we list below.

Marta’ awards and achievements

• FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2018
• Brazil’s Top Goalscorer: Marta holds the record for being Brazil’s top goalscorer with 115 goals.
• Most Goals in FIFA Women’s World Cup Tournament: Marta holds the record for scoring the most goals in the FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament with 17 goals.
• Scoring at Multiple World Cup Editions: She was the first footballer of any gender to score at five FIFA Women’s World Cup editions (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019).
• Scoring at Multiple Olympic Games: Marta was the first female footballer to score at five consecutive Olympic Games.
• Golden Ball (MVP) at 2004 FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship
• Golden Ball and Golden Boot at Women’s World Cup 2007: Marta won both the Golden Ball award as the best player and the Golden Boot award as the top scorer in the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup after leading Brazil to the final of the tournament.

Who is Marta’s partner?

Marta is engaged to Toni Pressley, who also plays as defender for Orlando Pride. They have been teammates since 2017, and they have been long-time girlfriends. They announced their engagement in January 2021.

What is Marta’s net worth?

Marta’s estimated net worth is approximately $13 million, according to some reports. Of course, this comes from her career as a soccer player but also thanks to several endorsements she has made.

Marta’s social media accounts: Where to follow her?

Marta is a very active player on social media. You can follow her on Instagram (@martavsilva10), Twitter (@martavieiras10) and even her own Youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@marta10).

Born on February 19, 1986, Marta’s journey began at an early age in the streets of Dois Riachos, a small town in Brazil. Her mesmerizing dribbling, precise finishing, and vision on the field have earned her numerous individual accolades, including six FIFA World Player of the Year awards.

As a true ambassador of the game, Marta’s legacy goes beyond her on-field achievements. Her determination, passion, and commitment to the sport have paved the way for the next generation of players, leaving an enduring impact on women’s soccer.

Marta at Women’s World Cups

The Orlando Pride player has participated in six World Cups (including the current edition), including the one in 2007, the year in which Brazil was runner-up. She has also competed in five Olympic Games, getting two silver medals. This year, she will try to win the World title for her country.