Marta picks the most meaningful moment of her career and keeps her future open: “living in the moment”

At 39 years old, Marta doesn’t want to make any plans. Instead, the Brazilian forward wants to enjoy every game, every minute, every play she can experience on the pitch — even as fans hope to see the superstar at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, set to be hosted in her home country.

“That question is very hard. I’ve already said in other interviews that I’m not thinking about the World Cup. It’s close, but not really. Like I said, I’m just living in the moment”, she said in an exclusive interview with CONMEBOL Copa América Femenina™.

The Queen of Football doesn’t hide her affection for the South American tournament, which she’s won three times with Brazil. She also knows how much it means to younger generations — many of whom will share the pitch with her in Ecuador.

Read the second part of the interview with Marta:

– We know you don’t want to make future plans, but do you have any idea of how you might take part in the 2027 World Cup in Brazil? It must be emotional to represent your team at home.

– No, that’s a tough question. I’ve already said I’m not thinking about playing in the World Cup. It’s near, but not really. Like I said, I’m focused on the now. The coach (Arthur Elias) always says he’ll call up whoever is doing well at the moment. I’m in the squad now because I’m performing well now.

Don’t expect me to be in top form tomorrow, or next week, or in 2027. I don’t know what could happen. Today I’m here — but tomorrow I might wake up and say, that’s it. I want to have a child, start a family — that’s still a dream for me.

Do you want to play for a club in Brazil again?

– I used to really want that. And I think things in Brazil have improved a lot. But I’m not sure I’ll have the time for it. So I’ll leave that open. Like I said, I’m playing now, I still have a year left on my contract with Orlando. But who knows — maybe I won’t feel the same motivation to wake up at 6am every day, train at 8am... it demands a lot.

My entire life has been dedicated to football. But eventually, we need to slow down and think about other priorities.

When you think about your career — with clubs or with the national team — what was the most special moment on the field?

– Wow, there are a few. With clubs, maybe when my mother saw me play for the first time in Brazil, with Santos, probably during a Copa Libertadores match. But another big moment was at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio. We won gold with 70,000 fans in the stadium. Back then, women’s football was just beginning to get noticed.

Then in 2008, we had a great period: Pan Am gold, a World Cup final, another Olympic medal... And to hear Chinese fans chanting my name — that was really special.

Brazil's matches in the CONMEBOL Copa América Femenina™

• Brazil vs. Venezuela – July 13 at 7:00 pm local time, Estadio Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda
• Bolivia vs. Brazil – July 16 at 4:00pm local time, Estadio Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda
• Paraguay vs. Brazil – July 22 at 7:00 pm local time Estadio Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda
• Brazil vs. Colombia – July 25 at 7:00 pm local time, Estadio IDV

Beyond your talent, you became a symbol for women’s football. When did you realize that?

– I’ve been aware for a long time, but I try not to get caught up in it. I’ve seen too many examples of people getting distracted by praise and forgetting to focus on the game. I don’t want that. But I do know the responsibility I carry, and I know that many of the opportunities players have now were built over years of hard work.

Today’s players — and even the retired ones who became coaches, commentators — they’re enjoying the results of what we planted years ago.

Do you still surprise yourself on the field?

– Sometimes, yes. There are moments when something just happens instinctively. Then I get home, watch the match, and think, “How did I do that?” But it’s natural — not forced. That’s the beauty of it.