Entering her sixth Women’s World Cup, Brazil’s Marta says this will be her last #Entering #sixth #Womens #World #Cup #Brazils #Marta

SAO PAULO (AP) — Going into her sixth World Cup, Brazil star Marta said Monday that this will be her last.

The 37-year-old Marta is widely considered one of the best players in the history of women’s soccer but has yet to lift the World Cup trophy in five previous attempts.

“Yes, it will be my last World Cup,” Marta told journalists in Brasilia on Monday, shortly before the squad boarded a plane to the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. “We have to understand that a time comes for us to prioritize other things.”

FILE - United States' Alex Morgan plays during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Ireland Tuesday, April 11, 2023, in St. Louis. Morgan is one of the veterans selected Wednesday, June 21, 2023, for the United States team that will defend its title at the Women's World Cup next month.(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

The brightest talents in women’s soccer will be on show at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas eyes the ball during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup soccer match against the United States Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)

Alexia Putellas heads to the Women’s World Cup after winning back-to-back Ballon d’Or awards and helping Barcelona win two of the last three Champions League titles.

Switzerland's Seereina Piubel, left and Iman Beney celebrate during the soccer match between Switzerland and Zambia, at the Tissot Arena in Biel, Switzerland, Friday June 30, 2023. (Marcel Bieri/Keystone via AP)

Sixteen-year-old Iman Beney has been picked in Switzerland’s squad for the Women’s World Cup only three days after making her debut with the national team.

FILE - Matilda's Kyah Simon takes a shot at goal during their international soccer match against the United States at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Nov. 27, 2021. A 29-strong preliminary squad, announced on Monday, June 19, 2023, will go into a training camp on the Gold Cost before heading to Melbourne for the final squad announcement and a match against France on July 14. The World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, begins on July 20. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)

Kyah Simon hasn’t played since October when she tore knee ligaments. Alanna Kennedy has struggled with injuries since her last international appearance in September.

Brazil coach Pia Sundhage said in an interview with The Associated Press last month that Marta, who has been the world player of the year six times, may not be in the starting lineup for Brazil right away while she continues to recover from a left knee injury.

Marta played for a few minutes on Sunday, when Brazil beat Chile 4-0 in its last friendly before the trip.

“I can only be thankful to have lived all those years in the national team,” added Marta, who is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 117 goals. “Having the chance of going to another World Cup, my sixth, is surreal to me.”

Marta had surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament last year, leading to an 11-month absence from the national team. Sundhage, who led the United States to two Olympic gold medals, called up Marta for friendlies against England and Germany in April but the forward remained in Florida to recover from a muscle injury in her left leg.

Brazil, one of three South American teams in the tournament, is in Group F along with France — the team that eliminated the Brazilians four years ago in the round of 16 — Jamaica and Panama.

Brazil’s first game is against Panama on July 24 in Adelaide.