Brazil, which came into the tournament as the favorite from the Latin American countries, has been eliminated in the first round after a goalless draw with Jamaica. This makes Marta Vieira da Silva’s dream of following in Lionel Messi’s footsteps most likely impossible as the best woman player in the history of the game has played in her sixth and likely final World Cup without ever achieving that elusive win.
Brazil started the tournament strong, beating Panama 4-0. But it all went downhill from there, as they lost 2-1 against France and tied 0-0 with Jamaica in their last game. These results meant that France and Jamaica advanced to the Round of 16, while Brazil and Panama were eliminated in the group stages.
It’s a disappointment for Brazil, but especially for Marta, who after the game said: “For me, this is the end, but it’s just the beginning for others,” in reference to the many players out there who are just starting, and who can always look up to Marta’s achievements, something she, herself, didn’t have when she was starting.
During a pre-game press conference, she also talked about how things have changed for the better when it comes to women playing fútbol in comparison to where she started.
And even as the internet lamented Brazil’s elimination, they still celebrated Marta, a player who truly changed the game.
As she bids goodbye to this tournament, Marta remains the all-time leading World Cup scorer, men’s or women’s, with 17 goals scored in 6 World Cup appearances. No matter what other big figures the women’s game finds next, Marta will forever remain a reference, a role model, someone who did it when there was no one to follow. And even in elimination, that’s worth celebrating.
As for the rest of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, no other Latin American teams have qualified for the round of 16, though Colombia needs only a draw to advance in their game against Morocco at 6:00 a.m. ET.