“I want more than anyone to win a title with the national team, but unfortunately, it did not happen.” This was Lionel Messi after missing a penalty against Chile in the 2016 Copa America final at the MetLife Stadium. A fourth final loss had made the pursuit of international glory seem futile. He had made up his mind. His time with La Albiceleste was over. His legacy, incomplete. But as cruel as the beautiful game can be at times, it does have a heart, and that heart wasn’t ready to let go. Months later, Maradona’s heir was back. And six years later, as fireworks lit up the sky above the Lusail Stadium, Peter Drury’s iconic voice reverberated like a prophecy come true, “Argentina, champions of the world. Again. At last…36 years ago since Maradona and Mexico, here finally is a nation’s new throng of immortals. Scaloni will be fated, Messi will be sainted.” And now, it looks like a similar story is brewing again, with Marta announcing her return to her national side.

“This is my last year with the national team,” Marta had said ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, clarifying that she wouldn’t wear Brazilian colors beyond 2024 regardless of whether she played in the Games that year. The icon stayed true to her word, not featuring for her country after the Summer Games campaign. Her era seemed to have come to an end for good. But in a surprising U-turn just months later, the Orlando Pride veteran is now set to return for international action.

The six-time FIFA World Player of the Year has been called up for the upcoming international break, during which Brazil will play four friendlies—two against Japan on May 30 and June 2, and two against Jamaica on June 1 and June 4. It’s a congested schedule, making the final week of this month and the start of the next a particularly busy period.

Hence, expect Marta to be a part of either of these games as she and the Brazilian federation broke the unexpected news. Interestingly, the 38-year-old even took to Instagram stories to share her thoughts on the flash news. While sharing a picture of herself in a Brazilian shirt, Marta wrote, “It gives me enormous joy whenever I have the honor of being called up to defend my country.”

Marta played an integral role in leading Arthur Elias and Co. through to the gold medal game of the tournament. Unfortunately, her magic was nowhere to be seen against the US Women’s National Team in the gold medal match as it was Emma Hayes‘ girls who secured the first prize, courtesy of a sole goal from Mallory Swanson.

It only brought her tally to three silver medals, as she never managed to win a World Cup. However, the 38-year-old boasts some remarkable individual feats, including the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup Golden Ball and Golden Boot. In fact, she still holds the all-time top scorer record at the prestigious tournament, with a tally of 17 goals.

Notably, the last time Brazil was in action was during a doubleheader against the USWNT in April. While they lost the opening clash 2-0, they pulled off a surprising 2-1 win in the second, with Marta’s teammate getting a bit of subtle revenge for their Summer Games defeat.

Either way, the big talking point is Marta’s return to the national setup. But we’re still wondering how it even came to this, considering the NWSL veteran had made her retirement plans pretty clear. Also, this brings up a question that we reckon must be on everyone’s minds.

Will Marta play in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup?

Given how she is back to donning Brazilian colors, it’s only fitting to expect the former Santos forward to play in the next World Cup that is being hosted by her own nation. Well, hear it out for yourself: “When I say I don’t want to play 2027, I don’t want to have this responsibility to play in the club to be in the national team,” Marta said, as compiled by ESPN FC.

“I’ve been doing [that] for 20, 21 years in my life. I’m feeling like it’s time to just enjoy a little bit more. Be in the club but don’t have this responsibility to be in the national team, too. But like I said, if they need me, I’m here,” added the iconic forward who has been a part of the Brazil team since the 2003 World Cup as a 17-year-old.

Marta further insisted that now she doesn’t carry the pressure of performing well on the domestic front, in order to cement her place in the national team. “I play with a different mind in my head now,” she continued. “…To do my best in the club and live day by day, I don’t want to have this pressure anymore on my back. That’s why for me, now it’s different.”

So, one could consider her current return to the Brazilian national team as simply a way to support and guide her teammates in the buildup to the tournament. But are we really sure, Marta, that you don’t want to play in the 2027 World Cup? Well, we hope she takes her time to answer that confidently—because who knows, she just might change her mind.