Marta hits out at ‘average athlete’ McCall Zerboni after former USWNT star’s comments on Orlando Pride | OneFootball

Nov 2, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Pride forward Marta (10) warms up before the game against the Seattle Reign at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Brazilian legend Marta has appeared to have taken a thinly veiled dig at former USWNT midfielder McCall Zerboni on social media.

It came after Zerboni provided a ruthless verdict on the quality of Marta’s Orlando Pride squad, ahead of their upcoming NWSL Playoff semi-final against Gotham FC.

Speaking on the ‘Attacking Third’ podcast on the CBS Sports Golazo Network, Zerboni described the defending champions as a side with “arguably one star” player.

What did Marta say in her tweet about McCall Zerboni?

Marta took exception to comments from McCall Zerboni in an apparent defence of her Orlando Pride team.

It is believed that the “one star” that Zerboni was referring to was Marta herself. The Orlando Pride side does have Barbra Banda available after she was sidelined for the season in August.

Marta unleashed a scathing reply on the social media platform X.

She wrote: “Sometimes when you’re an average athlete and you end your career, you often do much better commentating on games, etc., but in some cases that doesn’t happen.”

Marta paired her words with a giant sad emoji face and the hashtag “#MZ”, making it no secret as to who her tweet was aimed at.

What did Zerboni say about the Orlando Pride?

Speaking on the ‘Attacking Third’ podcast, Zerboni highlighted how the Seattle Reign could have stopped Marta in their 2-0 quarter-final defeat to Orlando Pride.

She highlighted how Phoebe McClernon failed to bring Marta down before Sam Meza dived inside the box and gave away a penalty for a foul on the Brazilian.

Zerboni, though, believes that Gotham FC’s players won’t make the same mistakes against Orlando Pride.

She said: “Yes, Marta is brilliant, no doubt about it. However, the sophistication of the Gotham midfield players and backline, as well as Emily Sonnett versus McClernon, that ain’t happening.

“Like a Jaelin Howell versus Sam Meza that ain’t happening. You know what I’m saying? So even then, if you just go body for body, one v ones, player for player, Gotham just has stars bro.

“They just have players that come alive in the most important moments, and they don’t make those mistakes.”

She then concluded by stating: “Orlando has arguably one star,” with co-host Darian Jenkins describing Zerboni’s final statement as a “mic drop”.

Who is McCall Zerboni?

McCall Zerboni had a successful career in the NWSL as a player.

She won four NWSL Championships, 2016 with Western New York Flash, 2018 and 2019 with North Carolina Courage and 2023 with Gotham FC.

Zerboni also won three NWSL Shields with the Courage and one with the New York Flash.

She also made nine appearances for the USWNT between 2017 and 2019.

Marta’s comments come after Hannah Hampton-Mary Earps saga

Marta’s comments on Zerboni are not the only recent dispute in women’s football.

A media furore has surrounded Mary Earps after her comments about Hannah Hampton and England head coach Sarina Wiegman in her autobiography.

Earps criticised episodes of early “bad behaviour” by her England successor Hampton. She was also critical of Wiegman’s decision to bring Hampton back into the England squad.

The likes of Fara Williams, Anita Asante and Ruesha Littlejohn have all spoken out over Earps’ comments.

Millie Bright received criticism for not giving her opinion on the matter and defend her Chelsea teammate Hampton.

Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor last week defended Bright’s decision to not speak on the matter.