Brazil legend Marta to say goodbye to international football at end of this year

Brazil legend Marta Vieira da Silva, known as the 'Queen of Football', will say goodbye to international football at the end of this year 2024. 

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The star footballer who has won the FIFA World Player of the Year award  six times (the most among women), has announced her retirement. Marta has already played her last World Cup, now all that remains is to say goodbye to football.

“There is a moment when we have to understand that the time has come. I am very calm about this because I see with great optimism this development that we are having in relation to young [players].” Brazilian said in an interview given to CNN on Thursday.

Despite announcing retirement at the end of this year, Marta hopes to wear Brazil's yellow jersey in one more Olympics. Before this, she participated in five Olympics and won two silver medals (Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008).

"This is my last year with the national team:"

Dreaming of playing in the Olympic games again, Marta said, "If I go to the Olympics, I will enjoy every moment, because, regardless of whether I go to the Olympics or not, this is my last year with the national team,"

The Brazilian women's football team are currently in the process of becoming a brand new team. Marta was last named in the CONCACAF Gold Cup squad by Arthur Elias.

Now the 38-year-old star striker is hoping for a FIFA call-up in the next May window. It will be the last chance for the coaches to try out the players before the Paris Olympics 2024.

"We have a really qualified team with really talented girls who, as the years go by, you will see what I’m talking about," Marta said.

"Because of this, I feel very comfortable saying: ‘Listen, I’m passing on to you, I’m going to pass on the baton and you continue to carry on this legacy," she added.

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Marta has the record for most goals (17) in the women's and men's editions of the World Cup. However, the regret of not winning the World Cup remains for this Seleção legend. She won the title of the best female footballer of the year for 5 consecutive years from 2006 to 2010.

Marta won the award once again in 2018 after a gap of 8 years. She has won the Pan American football title and the gold medal at the Summer Olympics. Marta also won the Copa America title three times.