What records can Marta break at the 2023 Women’s World Cup?

In Wednesday’s final group game against Jamaica, Brazil legend Marta Vieira will have a new opportunity make World Cup history. The 37-year-old already holds the record for being the all-time top scorer in the history of the World Cup with 17 goals, she will set another new record if she is able to find the back of the net against the Reggae Girlz. If she gets on the scoreboard against Jamaica she will become the first player to score in six different editions of the World Cup.

Until yesterday, Marta was not the only player with options of achieving such a remarkable feat. Like her, Canada’s Christine Sinclair had scored at least one goal in all five previous editions of the tournament (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019). Sinclair played in all three of Canada’s group game matches (Nigeria, Republic of Ireland and Australia) but failed to score in any of them and the team ended third and eliminated.

Missed chance

The 40-year-old forward came desperately close to scoring in her sixth World Cup. She stepped up to take a penalty in the opening group game against Nigeria only for her effort to be superbly saved by Chiamaka Nnadozie. Apart from missing out on making history, had she converted from the spot, Canada might now be in the next round rather than on their way home.

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Following Monday’s defeat to hosts Australia, Sinclair was seen to pick up a blade of grass from the pitch and was visibly emotional as she explained the reason why in a flash zone interview with TSN Sports: “I don’t know why I did it, it’s the end of the World Cup, I’m probably not going to play in another one... So leaving the pitch one last time, in a World Cup. Winning and losing, it’s all part of the game. It’s why we love this sport. We’ve always said, we’re family, whatever happens, we do it together. I feel for the team, I feel for my team mates”.

Sinclair says goodbye to the World Cup with 10 goals in six editions. Her crowning moment at international level was winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics with Canada beating Sweden 2-3 in the penalty shootout after the final ended 1-1.

Marta Vieira meanwhile is the only active player who could take the record. Wednesday’s game against Jamaica will be decisive for Brazil, who are third in Group F and need to win or draw to advance.

Jamaica have been the surprise package in a group that seemed to have two clear favorites. If the Canarinha do not manage to advance to the round, it could well be Marta Vieira’s last appearance in a World Cup. The next edition of the tournament is in 2027, by which time she will be 41 years old and perhaps by then, her international career will be over.