(Reuters) – Brazil forward Marta will not start her team’s opening game against Jamaica at the women’s World Cup on Sunday because of a thigh problem, coach Vadao said on Saturday.
“She has been recovering better than expected but she cannot start. Maybe she will be on the bench but our plan is that she doesn’t take part in the game,” Vadao told a news conference.
The 33-year-old Marta, named six times as FIFA’s best woman player of the year, picked up the injury during her team’s preparations for the World Cup late last month.
Brazil were drawn in Group C with Jamaica, Australia and Italy.
(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Clare Fallon)
