Brazil legend Marta received a straight red card in what could be her final major tournament appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Wednesday.
During her 200th cap for Brazil, Marta was dismissed in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time after her boot connected with Spain’s Olga Carmona’s head in a failed clearance attempt.
The prolific scorer, with 119 international goals, was inconsolable after the incident.
Marta has stated her intent to retire from international football this year, meaning this could potentially have been her final outing in a Brazil shirt.
The score was 0-0 at the time of Marta’s red card, but Spain went on to win 2-0, leaving Brazil in third place in Group C behind Spain and Japan.
This result caused a nervous wait to see if they would progress as one of the two best third-placed teams.
Australia’s defeat to the United States later in the day allowed Brazil to progress to the quarterfinals, where they will face France in Nantes on Saturday.
Marta will be suspended for the match due to the red card, but if Brazil can beat the hosts, she could appear in the semifinals.
Brazil will need to reach the semifinals to ensure Marta’s sending off was not her last act on a big international stage.
Despite her many accolades, Marta has never won an Olympic or Women’s World Cup title with Brazil.
The team came close twice, winning silver medals in 2004 and 2008.
Marta, 38, confirmed that this would be her final major international tournament after a 24-year career that included six World Cup appearances and six Olympics.
However, there is a glimmer of hope.
Brazil has been named the host of the 2027 World Cup, and Marta would not be the first player to come out of international retirement.
Compatriots Cristiane and Formiga previously reversed their retirements, though it remains to be seen if Marta will be tempted to play in a seventh World Cup, her first on home soil.