The one who was elected the best player of the Copa America entered the decision 37 minutes into the second half. And he deserved this title, merely for what he presented from the 37 -minute mark of the second half of the last match.
Or almost that. Its name is Marta, which influences any assessment.
But she showed that she is still more than a symbol of himself, the woman widely recognized as the greatest in football history. Even with obvious limitations to the 39 years-it is a lesion, as it appears, prevented coach Arthur Elias from using it since the initial whistle-was decisive.
In the 51st minute of the second half, the one who would be the last of the championship for what the Chilean referee had nominated Dione Rissios, Alagoas hit a precise kick from outside the left foot. In the extension, he was fortunate to mark the right foot in a disastrous attempt of head.
The competition was eventually decided on penalties: 5 to 4 for Brazil, after a 4-4 draw with Colombia. Marta wasted her charge in the penalty brand series, but left Casa Blanca stadium in Quito, with the renewed relevance in football.
Now four -time Copa America champion has expanded his list of achievements. In the first statement after the triumph, still on the lawn, it showed relief that the penalty shootout did not cost the trophy. “I was asking God not to punish me so much,” he smiled.
He has been good with the two -stream athlete, elected six times the best soccer player on the planet. The veteran star rehearses retirement for a long time, but is staying and is still able to journeys like last Saturday (2) in Ecuador.
Marta has been alternating for years that seem definitive about goodbye with phrases in which she prefers inaccuracy. In 2023, after the elimination of Brazil at the World Cup, he warned: “Marta ends here, I’m very grateful for the opportunity I had.” In 2024, with the silver medal of the Paris Olympic Games, he adopted a farewell tone, at least from the national team.
It seems to weigh on the decision that the next World Cup in 2027 is scheduled for Brazil. The Women’s World Cup in the country presents itself as the perfect platform for retirement at the age of 41.
The Brazilian renewed its contract with Orlando Pride, from the United States, until the end of 2026. After the end of this commitment, there will be a few months to the World Cup – with the recurring offer of a farewell of club football on their heart team, Corinthians, dominant in South America.
Throughout the 2,850 m campaign of Quito, for each game as a starter Alagoas started one in the reserve bench. There were three goals and three assists in six matches. At Orlando Pride, this year, there were three goals and an assistance in 14 duels so far.
The coach of the national team, Arthur Elias, and the players who make up the yellow green group always speak with the bow. She is a symbol of women’s football. And as he showed against Colombia, still a player who can be decisive.
