January 13 – Women’s football icon Marta has signed a new two-year contract with National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) champions Orlando Pride, extending her illustrious club career.
The 38-year-old Brazilian forward, who turns 39 next month, was key to helping the Orlando Pride secure their first-ever NWSL title in November 2024. Her decision to remain with the team comes after her retirement from international football, which followed Brazil’s silver medal-winning campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Marta, one of the greatest players in football history, holds the record for most goals scored at a FIFA World Cup finals (17) by any player, male or female. In the 2024 NWSL season, she continued to showcase her exceptional talent, scoring 11 goals for Orlando and proving instrumental in their championship-winning campaign.
“It has 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,” Marta said. “I’m staying home!”
The extension of Marta’s contract underlines her enduring influence on the game and her commitment to furthering the growth of women’s football.
“Coming off the most successful season in our club’s history and, personally, one of the best of her professional career, re-signing Marta was a key business priority for us during this offseason,” Orlando Pride’s sporting director Haley Carter said in a statement.
“The impact she has made on our team, our locker room and our community is evident, of course through her incredible skill as a player, but even more so through her selfless and exemplary leadership style.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1736799171labto1736799171ofdlr1736799171owedi1736799171sni@g1736799171niwe.1736799171yrrah1736799171