Sophia Smith and Marta. Stellar on the field and irreplaceable within their teams. For one, it’s her Summer Games debut, and for the other, it’s a record sixth. And both are eyeing their first gold in Paris. Marta, who earlier said she would retire from international football this year, could have her swan song in tonight’s gold medal game with Team USA. Hence, Smith, Trinity Rodman, and other US stars, who idolize the Brazilian legend are hellbent on giving her the ‘highest level of respect.’

Smith and Rodman went on about Marta’s profound influence on soccer and their careers in a pre-game presser before the gold medal game. “We wouldn’t be here without Marta, who changed the game forever and continues to change the game,” Sophia Smith said. Thereafter, the Portland Thorns superstar proclaimed she would honor Marta in the final by challenging her. “I know she[Marta] would want us to give her the best of our games, that’s the highest level of respect you can give someone,” Smith added, as compiled by Wincountry.

Meanwhile, despite craving to beat Marta and secure the Olympic gold, Trinity Rodman was also all praise for the 38-year-old veteran. “Marta has changed the game of soccer around the world she’s such a talented player but also a great human, which speaks volumes,” Rodman said during the pre-game presser. She also said she always looked up to the legendary Brazil striker. After sharing her excitement about playing against Marta in the Olympic final, Sophia Smith claimed that she is thankful to the NWSL for having the Brazil legend play in the US.

Sophia Smith is “lucky” to play against her idol Marta in the NWSL

Marta has been plying her trade for the NWSL powerhouse Orlando Pride since 2017. Having locked horns with her during Portland-Orlando NWSL games, Sophia Smith has revealed how much those games have helped her. “For her to play in our league has helped so much. I don’t think words can describe how grateful we are for a player like Marta that is an advocate for young players like us,” Smith said.

Concluding her mammoth praises on the Brazil icon, Smith revealed she hopes for a masterclass of a game, as Brazil and USA face off in the Olympic finale. “We get to play against her in the U.S. league, which we’re really lucky for, and to play against her in this magnitude of a game is so special,” Smith added.

As of now, Team USA and Brazil are going goalless while relentlessly trying to break the deadlock. It remains to be seen if Smith and Rodman honor their idol by beating her. Or perhaps Marta could honor herself by clinching the medal that had long eluded her.