When you can’t break ‘em, extend ‘em. That’s what Formiga has been doing for some time, and what she did today in Rifu: improve her own records. FIFA.com looks at some of the 43-year-old’s accomplishments. Olympics By taking to the field against China PR, Formiga became the first player to play at seven Olympic Football Tournaments, and took her record number of appearances in the competition to 30. At 43 years and four months, she also became the oldest player to appear in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, surpassing her former team-mate Meg, who was 40 years and seven months in 1996.

FIFA Women’s World Cup™ There was a competition-record 22 years between Meg and a 17-year-old Formiga when they played against Norway in 1995. Formiga is now the Women’s World Cup’s oldest goalscorer (37) and oldest player (41). The midfielder is also the only player to go to and play in seven editions of the tournament.

The retirement Much of this wouldn’t have been possible had Formiga not been persuaded out of international retirement in March 2018 – ‘strictly’ to help Brazil qualify for France 2019. That didn’t stop Seleção supporters saturating social media with the question and hankering for her reconsideration thereafter. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder refused to relent – until revealing to FIFA.com she was making herself available to go to the 2019 finals. “I only came out of retirement due to necessity,” she said. “The Seleção didn’t have anybody in my position, anyone who played in my style. The coach said he needed me. The Seleção needed to qualify for the World Cup. “I spoke to Vadao. I gave it a lot thought. The thought of Brazil missing out of the World Cup, it weighed heavily on me and eventually I decided to help. I had no intention to carry on and play in the World Cup, but breaking barriers spurs me on.”