NWSL: Brazil legend Marta signs new contract with Orlando Pride at 38

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·9 de enero de 2025

NWSL: Brazil legend Marta signs new contract with Orlando Pride at 38

Marta returns to Orlando Pride after a brief spell of free agency following the lapse of her previous contract. The 38-year old has spent eight seasons with the Florida team, and captained them to both the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship in 2024.

The midfielder is the team’s all-time leader in appearances (128), assists (19), and goals (42). The Alagoas-native has enjoyed an unparalleled career. Highlights include:

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Being Brazil’s top goalscorer (119)
Winning FIFA World Player of the Year six times and being the only player to win five consecutively
Scoring the most career goals at the FIFA World Cup (17)
Being the first player – male or female – to score in five different World Cups

Widely regarded as the greatest women’s footballer of all-time, Marta has been cited as a role model by players such as Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí and Pernille Harder.

While Marta shows few signs of slowing down on the pitch, her international retirement following this summer’s Olympic Games and a cryptic message posted to the Pride’s social media prior to the extension announcement sent fans into a frenzy. However, the Brazilian legend is set for another two years of action. This new deal will potentially keep her on the pitch beyond her 40th birthday.

Marta’s best season yet

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Though she shared her hope to play for two more years back in October, speculation regarding Marta’s future has continued in-part because of the fairytale ending to her 2024 season.

The skipper scooped the NWSL’s Midfielder of the Year award, and was tapped for the league’s Best XI, as well as FIFPRO’s World XI. Marta scored the most goals (11) than she had since her inaugural season with Orlando in 2017. With Brazil, she won a third Olympic silver following a dramatic red card which saw her sit out the quarter and semi-finals.

Two year contract for Marta

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In an emotional video announcing the extension, Marta said: “From the moment I set foot in the airport eight years ago, you [Orlando Pride] have made this club and city my home… It’s been the honour of a lifetime to represent this community, to be your captain, and to bring the first ever league championship to the city of Orlando.”

The Pride will start their title defence away to Racing Louisville on March 16th.