The FIFA World Cup 2023 is filled with history makers, and one of the trailblazers is 37-year-old Brazil legend Marta da Silva, who is set for her sixth outing at the Mundial when it kicks off in New Zealand and Australia on July 20.
When the ball gets rolling at this summer’s most-anticipated event, Marta will become one of the four players in history to have played in at least six Women’s World Cups, joining her compatriot Formiga, who appeared in seven, Nigeria’s Onome Ebi, and Japan’s Homare Sawa.
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Brazil forward Marta will play in a 6th World Cup after being named in her country's squad for the women's world cup in Australia/New Zealand
The 37-year-old is a six-time winner of the Fifa World Player of the Year award.#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/2UyheQJtdp
— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) June 28, 2023
At the age of 17, Marta made her Women’s World Cup debut in 2003 in the United States, scoring three goals as the Canarinhas crashed out in the quarter-final stage.
Over the next four tournaments in which she featured, Marta who is dubbed “Pele in skirts” went on to score 14 more goals to take her tally in the competition to 17 goals in 20 appearances and become the tournament’s highest-ever scorer.
However, Marta’s greatness transcends just the women’s game, as her 17 goas are also the most in the history of the FIFA World Cup in both men’s and women’s events, topping German marksman Miroslav Klose who retired with 16 goals.
Despite being Brazil’s oldest player heading to the tournament, the six-time FIFA World Player of the Year remains their best player and one to watch out for, and with 115 goals in 175 appearances for the ladies in yellow, her poacher-like instincts are to be feared by any team she will be coming up against.
Pia Sundhage’s team is drawn in Group F with France, Jamaica, and debutants Panama, and Marta is expected to be among the selections when they lace up to face Panama in their opening match on July 24.
