“Women's football depends on you to survive," an emotional Marta cried down the camera lens moments after her Brazil side had been eliminated from the Women’s World Cup. “Think about it, value it more. We're asking for support.”
Her message rang out around the world. More eyes were on women’s football than ever before this past June as France 2019 brought record-breaking television audiences of around one billion viewers. The hope is that it was heard back home after, for the first time, every one of A Selecao Feminina’s games were broadcast live in Brazil.
A golden age is coming to an end for women’s football in the game’s spiritual home, with trailblazers such as Formiga, Cristiane and six-time World Player of the Year Marta ready to pass the mantle.