Emma Hayes and Marta meet once again after 17 years, as the USWNT faces Brazil in the gold medal game at the Olympic soccer tournament. Marta is back to the Canarinha side after serving a two-game suspension, including in the 4-2 semi-final win against Spain. Marta’s return to the squad is a tremendous boost for Brazil, which eyes its first Olympic gold.

Meanwhile, Hayes is once again aiming to beat Marta after their 2007 meeting and help the USWNT clinch its fifth Olympic gold. Indeed, Hayes is currently ahead of Marta, since she was the victor in 2007. But the Brazil legend left an unforgettable impression on the British coach.

Emma Hayes crossed paths with a young Marta when she was an assistant to coach Vic Akers at Arsenal. It was during a women’s cup final that Marta left the then-assistant coach Hayes in sheer disbelief. “When I was a young coach assisting Vic Akers at Arsenal we played a Women’s Cup two-legged final against Umea, the Swedish champions, and they had a young Marta,” said Hayes, referring to Arsenal’s 1-0 aggregate win over Marta’s Umea.

“I remember being on the touchline thinking, ‘Oh my goodness, who is this extraordinary player?’” coach Hayes added, as compiled by Lancashire Telegraph. Thereafter, coach Hayes lauded Marta for inspiring generations of soccer players, while the Brazilian is getting closer to her retirement.

“To witness what she’s done on the pitch, I think she’s been more than a role model and icon, she’s been the best player. What she’s done for Brazil or the generation coming through, she’s been an inspiration,” Emma Hayes added.

Anyhow, Emma Hayes, with the winner’s DNA, also stated that she and Team USA are adamant about spoiling Marta’s swan song in Paris.

Emma Hayes is not ready to settle for anything less than a win against Brazil

Emma Hayes took immense pride in her dream run of leading Chelsea to a fifth successive Women’s Super League title and instantly chasing the Olympic gold with Team USA. The 47-year-old also mentioned she has always visualized the moment of pursuing an Olympic gold as a coach. Apparently, she is all the more hungry to expand her title cabinet by beating Marta and Co. on Saturday.

“I like winning, it’s part of my DNA. I’m with a team that likes winning so of course our goal is to win the gold medal,” said coach Hayes. Meanwhile, Team USA’s ace striker Trinity Rodman also spoke along the same lines. She revealed Marta had been her soccer idol growing up. But she added that it won’t stop the Washington Spirit star from trying to oust Brazil.

Anyhow, the Canarinha has shown they are quite lethal, even in Marta’s absence. The world champions- Spain bowed out to a Marta-less Brazil in the semi-final. With Marta back in the squad, the yellow team would surely try its best to spoil Hayes’ dreams as well.