On a hot night in Quito, Marta stood on the edge of the pitch and didn’t hold back.
“It’s been a long time since I played in a tournament here in South America,” she told reporters post-match. “We were saddened by these circumstances.”
The Brazil legend, playing in what could be her final Copa América, wasn’t lamenting the match or the opponent. She was calling out the tournament’s infrastructure. Before Brazil’s group-stage opener, both teams were forced to warm up indoors in a cramped space with synthetic turf. There wasn’t enough room for both squads, and the heat inside was stifling.
“I really don’t understand why we can’t warm up on the pitch,” she said. “This is a problem for us because it’s very hot inside, on top of the altitude. We hope that CONMEBOL changes some things and improves the situation.”
Days later, they did.
Following public criticism from Marta, her teammates, and other national teams, CONMEBOL reversed its policy. Outfield players, who had previously been restricted to warming up off-field to “preserve the grass,” were now allowed 15 minutes on the pitch before matches. The organizers confirmed that they had “adjusted pre-match procedures” after re-evaluating stadium conditions and listening to team feedback.
Coach Arthur Elias had warned of the risks in that same post-match exchange. “We shouldn’t have to demand that those responsible for football do their job, just as the players do on the pitch and I do as a coach.” He called on tournament organizers to ensure proper conditions. “This is crucial for the players’ health and for the match, because when both teams don’t warm up on the pitch, they take longer to get going.”
Midfielder Ary Borges made the disparity even clearer. “Even amateur matches are better organized than what we have here,” she said. “Ask Alejandro [Domínguez, CONMEBOL’s president] if he could warm up in a space measuring five or 10 meters and smelling of paint.” Her question was pointed: “Why is the women’s tournament having to deal with this kind of thing?”
The rule changed, but the story didn’t end
Marta and Borges weren’t alone. Players from Uruguay, Peru, and Argentina spoke up in local media, detailing similar experiences. Uruguay’s Esperanza Pizarro called the warm-up situation “notorious.” Peruvian midfielder Mía León said she’d “never seen this in my career.” Argentina’s Yamila Rodríguez called it “embarrassing” and said the rules “have to be improved.”
The rapid pushback and subsequent rule change were rare. But they underscored a deeper issue: the chronic lack of investment and care for women’s football infrastructure in South America.
Days before the tournament began, Uruguay’s players refused to train, demanding better support, access to the men’s facilities, and fairer per diems. It wasn’t a media stunt. They nearly skipped the tournament entirely. Only after last-minute negotiations did they travel to Ecuador.
A 2023 FIFPRO survey of over 1,000 female players in South America revealed that just 24 percent are full-time professionals. Nearly half earn the local minimum wage or less. Many lack basic infrastructure like hot showers. Health insurance is inconsistent. Some players even pay out of pocket for their own injuries.
In that context, the original warm-up restriction wasn’t just a minor detail. It was part of a much larger picture.
Compared to the men’s Copa América, held in NFL stadiums across the U.S., with five-star hotels, charter flights, and a $16 million prize for the winner, the women’s version is a reminder of how far there still is to go. In 2022, the entire women’s prize pool was just $2 million.
After CONMEBOL’s reversal, players welcomed the change, but noted it was only a start. Brazil forward Kerolin, speaking to The Guardian, called it “a good first step.” Others emphasized that facilities and resources remain uneven, and that the burden shouldn’t always fall on players to raise their voices just to get basic treatment.
Marta’s final Copa América may be remembered for more than what happened on the pitch. It may be remembered for what she helped change off of it.
