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

The Brazilian women’s soccer legend received a red card for a challenge that shut her and 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 1-1 draw against the Spanish, the Brazilians hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage appeared dashed as the Japanese were soundly ahead of Nigeria, 3-1 at the time of the booking.

Should Japan win, they would leapfrog Brazil in points and in tie-breaking goal differential sending the Brazilians home and Marta with a dark spot in the final game of what has been a remarkable international career.