The all-time highest Women’s World Cup scorer with 17 goals, Brazil’s 37-year-old great Marta, also shares the record of scoring at five editions of the tournament with Christine Sinclair.
With 40-year-old Sinclair bowing out on Monday following Canada’s elimination by Australia, Marta can become the first player, man or woman, to score at six World Cups.
Marta grew emotional when asked by a Brazilian reporter about her legacy to the women’s game and the work of generations of teammates who have come and gone.
“Twenty years ago, nobody knew who Marta was at my first World Cup. Twenty years later, we have become a reference for many women all over the world, not only in football,” she said.
“We see many women journalists here today and we didn’t see that before so we have opened doors for equality.
“I hope I answered your question after you made me cry.”