Brazil’s Marta back for friendlies against Japan

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP):

The six-time world player of the year has returned to Brazil’s national team for friendlies against Japan today and Monday in São Paulo. While it remains to be seen whether she will play, her inclusion on the roster suggests that she may not be ready to retire just yet.

The 39-year-old announced last year that she would step down from the national team following the Paris Olympics. The Brazilians went on to win the silver medal after a 1-0 loss in the final to the United States.

She has continued to play for her club team, the Orlando Pride, in the National Women’s Soccer League. Last season, Marta scored 11 goals with the Pride, which won the NWSL title. She re-signed with the team through 2026 earlier this year.

“Marta has had a great season and has been very important for her club, which is the league champion,” Brazil coach Arthur Elias told reporters when he announced the roster. “Her presence in some call-ups is very important for the younger players for the renewal that is taking place in the national team.”

The matches against Japan are important for Brazil to prepare for the Copa América, which opens in July in Ecuador. Brazil are the defending champion.

“She’s a very important person for our group, for the other girls who are just arriving. I’ve already told her to retire when she’s about 45, around there. As long as she’s well, I’ll be encouraging her to continue with us,” Brazil defender Tarciane said in a press conference ahead of the matches against Japan. “And there’s no way we can be without Marta. I can’t see the national team now without Marta because we need her. We need everything she’s experienced in women’s football, and she needs to live this moment, too.”

Marta has played in 185 matches for Brazil. In her last, in the Olympic final, she was emotional as she came off the field. She insisted that her tears were not because of the loss or her retirement, but because of pride for having medalled.

“I am crying out of gratitude, happiness. I am not crying because we won silver. Look at how much we had to overcome to win this silver,” she said.

Better known just by her first name, Marta Vieira da Silva has scored a record 119 goals for Brazil.