Brazilian silver medalist and No. 10 striker Marta (right) kisses her partner Carrie Lawrence after the women’s soccer final between Brazil and the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. | Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images
Fresh from winning a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Brazilian soccer legend Marta received another award when she and Orlando Pride teammate Carrie Lawrence announced their engagement on social media.
“Mine forever,” Lawrence posted on Instagram a series of beautiful photos announcing the engagement while the women took turns getting down on one knee and proposing to her.
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Marta, a six-time FIFA Women’s Player of the Year, has retired from international play, but is so respected that players like Megan Rapinoe call her the best player of all time. She was one of 199 openly LGBTQ Olympians who competed in Paris.
Lawrence and Marta have been partners since 2022, a year after the Brazilian player called off her engagement to Pride teammate Toni Pressley. Lawrence was in the stands at the gold medal game in Paris between Brazil and the United States and the two kissed after the game, which the Americans won 1-0.
Marta is not only a strong advocate for LGBTQ inclusion, but also for the power of women in sport, a topic she highlighted after receiving this year’s award from FIFA.
“When I look at this award, I want all women to see a promising future, not just focused on football or sport, but on any activity,” she said.
“Because we strive every day to make the world a better place for everyone, just as God intended for us. Without exceptions. It’s about equality. It’s about respect.
“And I leave this message to all those who have the power to carry this message through what they do: Do it. Do it. Because future generations will be grateful.”
