Marta’s Olympic career might’ve just ended in the worst way imaginable

Brazilian legend Marta received a red card in what’s said to be the final game of her international career in Olympic play against Spain on Wednesday. | Photo by Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

The Brazilian women’s soccer legend received a red card for a challenge that could have her nation out of medal contention

Anyone who knows women’s soccer knows that Marta is the legend who defines it.

Playing in what’s said to be her final Olympic Games, the 38-year-old Brazilian forward received a straight red card after a high boot on an attempted clearance. Unfortunately, that boot also connected with the head of Spanish defender Olga Carmona.

Brazil’s all-time top goalscorer — man or woman — was in tears as the red card was shown while being consoled by her teammates and even a few of the Spanish players as well.

Marta, who’s had a decorated career on the field and has been an outspoken advocate for women in sports off of it, announced in April her intent to retire from the international game following this, her sixth Olympics appearance.

In addition to six Olympic appearances, she also took part in six FIFA World Cups and has been FIFA’s World Player of the Year on six occasions — nominated for it a record 13 times, the highest of any male or female player. With her international career essentially wrapped Marta will now focus her attention back Stateside as leader of the NWSL’s Orlando Pride franchise.

“There will be no more Marta from 2025 in the national team as an athlete,” Marta told reporters in April. “I am very calm about this [decision], because I see with great optimism this development that we are having in relation to young athletes.”

Brazil was playing in its final group match against Spain on the cusp of qualifying for the quarterfinals out of a tough group that included Japan and Nigeria. With a 2-0 loss against the Spanish, the Brazilians hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage were dashed as the Japanese were soundly ahead of Nigeria, 3-1 at the time of the booking.

With Japan’s win, they leapfrogged Brazil in points and in tie-breaking goal differential. This now finds Brazil needing help from other nations, namely Australia, playing the United States today to take one of the final spots.

Even if they do get through, they’d play one of the tournament’s top seeds — without their legendary player. Either way, one loss and the Brazilians head home, and Marta bows out with a dark spot on what has been an otherwise remarkable international career.