Brazilian superstar Marta will retire from international football after the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The 38-year-old, one of the most legendary players in the history of women’s football, was at risk of an ignominious end to her career after being sent off against Spain in the final group game. The red card left her suspended for two matches and she was forced to watch as her team-mates faced a couple of daunting duels.
However, thanks to sensational upsets over hosts France in the quarter-finals and a rematch with Spain in the semi-finals, Marta will have the chance to win her country’s first gold medal.
Jugo Mobile has the details on Marta’s possible return to the pitch and whether she will be part of the starting lineup when she returns to action.
Will Marta play in the Olympic gold medal match against the United States?
After missing both of Brazil’s knockout stage matches against France and Spain, Marta will be available again for the Brazilian national team in the 2024 gold medal match.
With Marta back from her suspension, it means Brazil can once again have the full complement of seven permitted substitute players, after being forced to play with six during their time on the sidelines under Olympic rules.
It is not entirely certain that she will be a starter, but it is practically certain that Marta will see the field at some point, either as a starter or from the bench.
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Why was Brazil able to leave Marta on the bench for the gold medal match?
It would have seemed inconceivable at the start of the tournament, but there is a real argument for Marta starting this gold medal match against the U.S. women’s national team on the bench.
At 38, Marta still has a very innovative game, but it’s hard to argue with what this team has achieved in her absence, and in such a condensed knockout tournament, form and vibe are hugely important to a team’s success.
The Brazilian forwards have been exceptional with Marta out, starting with her substitute Gabi Portilho, who scored in both games in which Marta was sidelined. Kerolin and Adriana Leal scored in the semi-final against Spain, while Ana Vitoria, Ludmila and Jheniffer have also been very good.
Meanwhile, Marta, who has already started playing off the bench, would be a player to score a goal off the bench, having already scored once this summer as a substitute, when she scored against Jamaica in a friendly in early June. She has also scored one of her five NWSL goals this season as a substitute, scoring the only goal in Orlando Pride’s 1-0 win over Utah Royals in April.
While it would seem harsh to leave Marta on the bench for her final international game, with the team in exceptional form in her absence and their first ever gold medal at stake, Brazil coach Arthur Elias may have a real decision to make.
