Marta’s World Cup is over, but her legacy will live on

Brazil may be gone from the Women’s World Cup, but Marta’s actions, on and off the field, at this tournament have cemented her legacy.

Following Brazil’s 2-1 defeat to host nation France, the striker gave an impassioned plea to girls who aspire to someday play for Brazil.

“It’s wanting more. It’s training more. It’s taking care of yourself more,” she said. “It’s being ready to play 90 plus 30 minutes. This is what I ask of the girls. There’s not going to be a Formiga forever. There’s not going to be a Marta forever. There’s not going to be a Christiane. The women’s game depends on you to survive. So think about that. Value it more.”

Marta, who played in her fifth World Cup and is the tournament’s all-time leading scorer, concluded: “Cry in the beginning so you can smile in the end.”

Marta’s words were also aimed at Brazil’s soccer federation. Their lack of funding for their women’s team over the years has crippled the program, even when it showed plenty of promise at past tournaments. For years, Brazil’s women’s team was considered, along with the United States, as among the best in the world.

This year’s World Cup team still featured mostly veteran stars, such as Formiga and Christiane, and many didn’t give them a chance to reach the knockout round. Recruiting new talent and developing those players have been largely ignored, something that reeks of misogyny given how passionate Brazil can be about the game.

Instead, Brazil defied the odds, like they have at so many past tournaments, to reach the Round of 16, giving France a tough game that took 120 minutes to finally find a winner.

Marta, arguably the best female player in history, may be back for another World Cup. She’ll be 37 in time for the next edition. Her 112 goals in 147 appearances for Brazil since making her national team debut in 2002 are a staggering figure.

In France, Marta scored two goals, catapulting her to 18 all-time, more than any man or woman at a World Cup.

The numbers, as Marta’s message on Sunday showed, are only a part of her legacy. Her desire to inspire future generations and deliver a positive message about working hard is what the 33-year-old striker is all about.

Unlike Cameroon’s tantrums during and after their defeat to England on Sunday, Marta proved to be a role model for millions who watched her on TV just a few hours later. Marta’s World Cup may be over, but her legacy will never be forgotten.