Marta is already a soccer legend and built upon that status Thursday when she provided the game-winning assist for Brazil in their 1-0 win vs. Japan in the SheBelieves Cup.
The Brazilian forward will turn 37 when Brazil plays Canada on Sunday but is still producing pieces of magic on the field.
Thursday’s SheBelieves Cup game was Marta’s first time playing in 327 days. In March 2022 the Orlando Pride star tore her ACL during an NWSL Challenge Cup game vs. the North Carolina Courage.
It seemed fitting that Marta would make her return to the field at Exploria Stadium where the Pride play. This time around she would be sporting the blue of Brazil.
Marta was brought on as a substitute in the 68th minute with the score tied at 0-0. The game had been tense up to that point and it was going to take something special for either team to find a winner.
Marta provided that winner just four minutes into her cameo.
Marta assist vs. Japan
Marta only needed four minutes to grab an assist after making her first appearance since tearing her ACL last year
Watch the SheBelieves Cup on @hbomax pic.twitter.com/sYnSY0w3Kh— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 16, 2023
One quick stepover and a perfect ball to Debinha was all Marta needed to crack open Japan's defense.
The 1-0 win sees Brazil tied on points with the USWNT with three. The U.S. defeated Canada 2-0 later Thursday night courtesy of a Mallory Swanson brace.
Brazil and the U.S. will face off in the SheBelieves Cup finale on Wednesday.
This summer Marta will compete in her SIXTH World Cup. She’ll have to stick around the national team until 2027 if she wants to tie former Brazil teammate Formiga for the most World Cup tournament appearances by any player. At this point we won’t ever doubt Marta.
She promised Pride fans after the game that she'll be back to playing in Exploria Stadium soon.
The queen has returned to her kingdom
ICYMI yesterday Marta made her return from injury and played in her first match after 327 days‼️4 minutes after getting subbed into the match @martavieiras10 assisted Debinha’s game winning goal
: @ORLPride pic.twitter.com/stuni7jxhQ
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) February 17, 2023
