This summer’s Women’s World Cup is going to be one for the books. Not only is it the first to be jointly hosted by multiple nations (matches will take place in both Australia and New Zealand), but it could be the first to see a team three-peat as champions. If that weren’t enough reason to heighten your anticipation, it will also likely be the final World Cup appearance for some of the game’s greatest players.
Since the turn of the century, women’s soccer has seen tremendous global growth. Many of the legends who aided in that expansion are likely heading into the sunset. Here’s a starting XI — playing a lopsided, far from practically functional 3-4-3 — of athletes who could be playing on the World Cup stage for the last time.
Forwards
Age: 37
Keeping a write-up of Marta’s accolades to a reasonable length proved to be the greatest challenge of this article. Marta’s 115 goals for Brazil are the most in the country’s history. Her 172 caps are the second most in Brazilian history. She was the first player to ever score in five consecutive Olympics. She’s one of just three players to have scored at five different…
