Colombia will face Bolivia in a crucial 2025 Copa América Femenina first-round match on Tuesday, July 22, with a potential semifinal berth on the line. The contest is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET at the Estadio Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda in Quito, Ecuador, and will be broadcast in the U.S. on FOX Sports 1.
The tournament has already featured a significant storyline with the return of Brazilian soccer legend Marta. Just a year after an emotional Olympic final seemed to mark the end of her storied international career, the six-time world player of the year is back on the pitch for Brazil.
The 39-year-old forward, who had previously announced her retirement from the national team, was recalled by coach Arthur Elias for friendly matches in late May and has been an active participant in the Copa América. Brazil, an eight-time champion of the South American tournament, is leveraging her veteran presence.
“I’m aware that I don’t have many years left to play, so the little I have, I want to make the most of it,” Marta said at a recent news conference. “The pride doesn’t change, the desire to help the team doesn’t change and it never will, regardless of whether I’m playing or not.”
Before the Paris Olympics, where Brazil won a silver medal, Marta had intended to step aside to make way for the next generation. However, she continued to excel at the club level with the Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League, scoring 11 goals last season en route to an NWSL title and re-signing with the team through 2026.
Marta’s illustrious national team career spans more than two decades, 204 games, and 119 goals. She has competed in six World Cups and six Olympics, with Brazil’s best World Cup finish being a runner-up in 2007.
While she has said she will accept any role the coach gives her, speculation surrounds her potential participation in the 2027 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in her home country of Brazil.
“The coach has always made it very clear that he’ll be calling whoever is best at the moment, regardless of age,” she said. “There’s no point in coming here and saying, ‘I’ll be playing in the World Cup in two years.’ It will depend on what happens in my day-to-day life.”
Marta also hinted at other future plans. “I still have a very strong desire to be a mother,” she revealed in a recent interview. “So, maybe I’ll wake up one day and decide to call my doctor and see if it’s still possible. If it is, bye, I have to go now.”
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