024 Olympics: Brazil legend Marta dismisses Super Falcons threat 

By Saheed Afolabi 

Brazilian football star Marta Vieira da Silva has downplayed the threat posed by Nigeria in Brazil’s pursuit of an Olympic gold medal in the women’s football event.

The 38-year-old striker, who holds the record as Brazil’s highest goal scorer with 118 goals in 183 matches, expressed confidence in her team’s capabilities.

Marta emphasized that the current Brazilian team has a much stronger structure compared to the past, which gives them an advantage as they aim for glory.

She stressed the motivation and quality of the young players as key factors in their quest for the gold medal.

“The structure and the way we faced challenges were very different,” Marta told FIFA. “We did not have then what we have now. We used to say, ‘Come on, if we win it, it will be an added bonus’. To be honest, we did not feel obliged to win it because, structurally, things were different to how they are now. Winning is a matter of details, and I believe that this generation has what it takes to go all the way.”

Marta’s confidence reflects the progress and improvements within the Brazilian women’s football team, which she believes will be crucial in their quest to win the Olympic gold medal.