Orlando Pride's shining star, Marta, is not bowing out just yet. She has signed a two-year extension that will keep the Brazilian forward with the team through the end of the 2026 season. This confirms a personal and professional commitment to the player and the franchise. According to WFTV, Orlando Pride's VP of Sporting Operations and Sporting Director, Haley Carter, expressed the importance of re-signing Marta, highlighting her pivotal role in the club's landmark achievements and exceptional previous season performance.
Marta, who is as decorated as they come with a record-breaking tally of 17 FIFA Women's World Cup goals and six FIFA World Player of the Year honors, has clearly cemented her legacy, made a notably dramatic impact on the Orlando team, and brought home the 2024 NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship. In her statement, she shared her elation to continue with a team that works and believes in one another. According to the team statement, she underscored her joy to hit a personal milestone of 10 seasons wearing the No. 10 jersey.
The forward's influence extends beyond the pitch, with Carter highlighting Marta's selfless leadership and community engagement, attributes that contribute to the team's on and off-the-pitch ethos as per ESPN; this extension comes shortly after Marta retires from international play, following a narrow defeat at the Paris Olympics last August, stating her intention to continue playing domestically "for a couple more years."
At 38 years old, Marta's tenure with Orlando Pride has been spectacular since joining in 2017, racking up 128 appearances and 42 goals, adding to her already legendary status in the sport and after scoring a decisive goal in the NWSL semi-finals.
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