Emotional Marta to Brazil: Cry now, smile at the end

ETEMADONLINE| An emotional Marta bid farewell to another unsuccessful World Cup campaign on Sunday with a challenge to Brazil's women: work harder and do more if you want to win.

With tears in her eyes after the 2-1 extra-time loss to hosts France, the woman considered by many to be the greatest ever to play the game said the future of Brazilian soccer was dependent on new generations pushing themselves.

"It's about wanting more, it's about training more, it's about looking after yourself more, it's about being ready to play 90 minutes and then 30 minutes more," Marta said after Brazil went down to a 107th-minute goal in Le Havre.

"So that's why I am asking the girls. There's not going to be a Formiga forever, there's not going to be a Marta forever, there's not going to be a Cristiane. Women's football depends on you to survive. Think about it, value it more."

Looking straight at the camera with a mix of sadness and defiance, she said: "Cry now so you can smile at the end."

Marta was once again one of the stars of the World Cup with her goals against Australia and Italy taking her overall total to 17, the most of any player in the history of the game.

And though the future of the six-times FIFA world player of the year is uncertain, the 33-year-old gave no sign she would quit after France, her fifth World Cup.