Marta and Formiga head Brazil Women's World Cup squad

Updated: 2019-05-17 09:30

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RIO DE JANEIRO — Six-time world player of the year Marta and the unretired Formiga will lead Brazil in the Women's World Cup in France.

Brazil's soccer player Marta Vieira da Silva, who won a six-time FIFA Women's World Player of the Year, poses for photographers during a ceremony where her footprints will be included in the Maracana's hall of fame, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil December 10, 2018. [Photo/Agencies]

Brazil coach Vadao announced his squad on Thursday, betting on 33-year-old Marta to end a nine-match losing streak and help the team win its first Women's World Cup title.

"Marta is still Marta, and she could make the difference in this World Cup," he said.

Formiga, the 41-year-old midfielder, will play a record seventh World Cup despite announcing her retirement in 2016 after the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.

Brazil is in Group C with Australia, Italy, and Jamaica.

Brazil opens against Jamaica on June 9 in Grenoble, and Vadao made a gaffe by saying Jamaica's play is no different than others of "African style."

Brazil Women: Goalkeepers: Aline (Tenerife), Barbara (Avai), Leticia (Corinthians) Defenders: Fabiana (Internacional), Leticia Santos (Sand), Tamires (Fortuna), Camila (Orlando Pride), Erika, Monica (Corinthians), Kathellen (Bordeaux), Tayla (Benfica).

Midfielders: Andressinha (Portland), Formiga (Paris Saint-Germain), Adriana (Corinthians), Thaisa (Milan) Forwards: Bia Zaneratto (Incheon Steel Red Angels), Cristiane (Sao Paulo), Raquel (Huelva), Debinha (North Carolina), Geyse (Benfica), Ludmilla (Atletico Madrid), Marta (Orlando Pride), Andressa Alves (Barcelona) More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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