Brazil icon Marta is not eyeing a place at her nation's home World Cup in 2027, revealing she will call time on her glittering career after playing for "a couple more years".

Marta turned 38 in February and is second to Formiga in Brazil's all-time appearance charts with 206 caps, while her 116 goals for the Selecao are unmatched by any player.

She has continued to impress on the domestic stage despite her advancing years, helping the Orlando Pride win the National Women's Soccer League for the first time this year. 

Marta scored 11 NWSL goals – a tally only bettered by three players – in the 2024 campaign, with those strikes coming from chances worth a total of 7.47 expected goals (xG).

That meant she overperformed her underlying attacking figures by a greater margin than any other player in the competition.

Despite her longevity, Marta recognises it will soon be time to hang up her boots, and in an interview with ESPN Brasil, she hinted that moment will come before the 2027 World Cup. 

"I've said several times that my goal is not to play in the World Cup, but at the same time I want to continue contributing to the team," Marta said.

"It has to be something natural, I have to deserve it. It's not an objective as a player. Not that I don't feel capable of playing, but then we're talking about 2027.

"I want to play for a couple more years. But I want to play in a light way, not have this weight that I've carried all my life from being at club and the national team. 

"I'm living a magical moment in my career. I never imagined at 38 years old I would be feeling good, playing well, winning titles. Situations like this motivate you and I have in mind to continue playing for another two years."

Brazil beat out a joint bid from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands to win hosting rights for the 2027 tournament, with the United States and Mexico withdrawing a joint bid to focus their efforts on hosting the next edition in 2031.