Paris 2024 Olympic Games: When will Brazil legend Marta retire? Is the women's football icon available for final?

Marta has enjoyed a far more dramatic Paris 2024 Olympic Games than most athletes. She has won her 200th cap, been sent off, had her appeal against a two-match suspension rejected, and now she is preparing to compete for a gold medal against USA. However, many fans are asking if the Brazilian great will hang up her boots at the end of the Games or if her story will go on.

Marta has graced football pitches around the world for over two decades now.

The 38-year-old has 201 international caps to her name and is one of the most respected figures in the beautiful game.

She is part of the Brazil squad that progressed to the final of the women's football tournament with an emphatic 4-2 victory over World Cup winners Spain at the Orange Velodrome.

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Her Olympic dream started with a 1-0 win against Nigeria as Brazil got off to a strong start in Group C. However, that dream quickly turned into a nightmare.

Marta won her 200th cap against Japan, but Brazil fell to a 2-1 defeat after stunning stoppage-time goals from Saki Kumagai and Momoko Tanikawa.

Things went from bad to worse for the Brazilians in their crucial final group game against Spain. She was sent off for foul play, potentially ending her Olympic dream.

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However, Brazil progressed to the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed sides. They have not looked back since, drastically improving despite the absence of the talismanic Marta.

Brazil defeated hosts France 1-0 in the quarter-finals before their statement win over Spain sent them into the final.

Will she be allowed to play in the final?

The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Marta's two-match suspension following her red card against Spain.

As a result, she missed her side's win against France and their triumphant semi-final clash with Spain.

The Brazil skipper is available for selection for the final, but will it be her last match on the international stage?

When will Brazil legend Marta retire?

Marta will play her last match at an Olympic Games if she features against Spain on Saturday.

She told CNN Brasil that she will call time on her historic career by the end of 2024.

"If I go to the Olympics, I’ll enjoy every moment because, regardless of whether I go to the Olympics or not, this is my last year with the national team," she said.

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"There is no longer Marta in the national team as an athlete from 2025 onwards. This is my last year, and I can already confirm it here.

"There is a moment when we have to understand that the time has come.

"I am very calm about this because I see with great optimism this development that we are having in relation to young athletes."

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