Brazil captain Marta gave an impassioned speech to female footballers in Brazil, following the Seleção Feminina’s 2-1 World Cup defeat to France.
Brazil lost after extra time in the round of 16 and Marta, who could have been playing her final World Cup match, gave an impassioned speech following the final whistle.
Speaking to SporTV and looking straight down the lens, said, “This is what I ask the girls: you will not have a Marta forever, you will not have a Formiga forever, you will not have a Cristiane forever.
“Wish more, take care of yourself more, be ready to play 90 minutes and 30 more. The future of women’s football is in your hands. You have to cry at the beginning to smile at the end.”
Marta became the all-time top scorer at World Cups with two strikes during the tournament, taking her to 17 goals in the competition.