Marta Reflects on Career and Upcoming NWSL Championship Match

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Brazilian soccer sensation Marta is poised to compete in the highly anticipated NWSL Championship at CPKC Stadium. The six-time world player of the year has expressed that this event ranks as one of the top matches in her illustrious career, which includes a World Cup final and participation in three Olympic gold-medal games.

«The way we [played] from the beginning of the season to now, it’s something very special that I never had before in any other club that I played for,» Marta remarked to the press.

Reflecting on her journey, Marta reminisced about her early days traveling from her hometown to Rio de Janeiro for soccer tryouts. This Saturday’s match holds additional sentimental value as her mother, Tereza Vieira de Sá, will be witnessing Marta play in the United States for the first time.

The 38-year-old forward plans to continue playing for two more seasons, with intentions to retire by the end of 2026. However, she has decided not to participate in the 2027 World Cup but will contribute as a mentor to younger players, according to statements made to the media earlier this week.

«When I say I don’t want to play 2027, I don’t want to have this responsibility to play in the club to be in the national team,» Marta explained. This sentiment reflects her desire to focus on club commitments while potentially assisting the national team in the lead-up to the tournament.

This season, which some critics are calling a career-reviving year for Marta, saw her scoring nine goals, tying for fourth place in the league’s scoring chart. Her exceptional play was showcased in a viral moment reminiscent of her performance in the 2007 World Cup semifinal against the United States.

Orlando Pride, Marta’s current team, has high expectations as they enter Saturday’s final as narrow favorites. The team set a league record by remaining unbeaten in their first 23 matches this season, although fellow finalist, the No. 2 seed, also showed strong form, ending the regular season only four points behind Orlando.

Marta is no stranger to final match losses with the Brazilian national team. Despite this, she has claimed multiple titles at the club level, exemplifying her storied career’s success.

As anticipation builds for what could be a «perfect season» for the Pride, Marta emphasized the importance of the upcoming game. «It’s only one game, and I know how important it is,» she stated. «We know if we win this, it will be like a perfect season. But we can’t forget about everything that we did this season.»