Women’s Football World Cup 2019: Brazilian superstar Marta races clock for crack at Matildas

Brazil’s No.10 has redefined women’s football and although she may not be the player she was at her peak, the Matildas are well aware of the danger Marta presents to their World Cup chances.

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It’s the date that could decide the Matildas’ World Cup fate, but will six-time FIFA women’s player of the year Marta even make it to the party?

The best player to have graced the women’s game has been battling a hamstring injury that forced her to sit out Brazil’s 3-0 opening Group C win over Jamaica.

Things were looking rosier midweek when she managed light training, a sign she could yet make an appearance at Stade de la Mosson.

But while Cristiane’s hat-trick last weekend may suggest it’s a case of no Marta, no worries against an Aussie side that’s beaten them four times running, there remains no question as to who’s the real star of the Canarinhas’ show.

Brazil superstar Marta has been battling a hamstring injury. Picture: AFP

Nicknamed ‘Pele in a skirt’ by the great man himself, the No.10 has redefined women’s football.

With 15 goals from her four previous Women’s World Cups, she’s the tournament’s all-time record scorer and could yet add to that tally in her unlikely bid to obtain the one trophy that’s eluded her otherwise illustrious career.

And while the 33-year-old can’t move quite as quickly as she used to, she’s to Brazil what Sam Kerr is to Australia - an X-factor and galvanising force.

Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy said she “couldn't care less whether Marta plays or not”, yet in the same breath spoke of her Orlando Pride teammate’s capacity for the technically improbable.

“She’s got that winning mentality and that nous, particularly in front of goal, but she can just pull things from nowhere and only she can do it,” Kennedy said.

“I would say she's not the player she was five years ago, but she's not a player you can be complacent with because she's still world class no matter what.”

The Matildas know the danger Marta presents.

Eight years ago at the 2011 World Cup she was scarcely stoppable, to the point that coach Tom Sermanni had Caitlin Foord man mark her the entire game.

“We just tried to take her off the field and to be fair it worked,” said Elise Kellond-Knight.

“She had a shadow and Caitlin had fantastic game.”

That 1-0 loss was the first of many times Kellond-Knight faced her childhood idol, deployed at left-back to Marta’s right wing.

Many other Matildas have played her since, though this could yet be an icon’s final World Cup act.

Marta recently addressed the challenges faced in France by Brazil, a former world powerhouse that’s recently been on the decline.

"It's hard to think about the title," she said.

"At the moment the situation of the Selecao is far from ideal, it's the worst since I've been there."