Kaylane Vieira: The Brazilian rising star who received Marta’s seal of approval

Brazilian football held its breath when Marta Vieira da Silva first announced her retirement from international football. The icon of the women’s game later made herself available for Brazil again, with the 2027 Women’s World Cup on home soil set to mark the final chapter of her international career.

For Brazil, the question of what comes after Marta has been there for years. Who can take up the baton from one of the greatest players the game has ever seen, both on and off the pitch?

Marta herself has always spoken passionately about the generations that will follow her. And recently, she had the opportunity to meet and train alongside one of the most promising young players emerging in Brazil: Kaylane Vieira.

The Flamengo attacking midfielder is enjoying a breakthrough year. In June, at just 17, she received her first call-up to Brazil’s senior national team.

It gave Kaylane the opportunity not only to train alongside some of the country’s biggest stars, but also to become the youngest player called up by Brazil under current head coach Arthur Elias.

The generation Marta asked for

Back in 2019, after Brazil were eliminated from the Women’s World Cup in France, Marta delivered a passionate message to the next generation of Brazilian players.

“This is a special moment and people need to make the most of it. People ask for so much, they ask for support, but they also need to appreciate it. People are smiling here and I think that’s what matters most: crying at the start so you can smile at the end.

“When I say that, I mean wanting more, training harder, being ready to play 90 minutes and however many minutes are needed. That’s what I ask of the girls. Women’s football depends on you to survive.”

Years later, Marta was there to witness one of those young players taking her first steps with Brazil’s senior team.

For Kaylane, meeting one of her idols proved to be an emotional experience. “I was completely taken aback when I saw Marta; I was shaking terribly. She’s lovely. She was incredibly kind and treated me in a way I can’t even begin to describe. I’ll never forget it.

“She gave me lots of advice, helped me with some of my moves and showed me where I can improve both on and off the pitch,” Kaylane said after the camp.

Marta did not take long to respond. Alongside a photo of the pair on social media, she had a simple message for the teenager: “Keep at it, girl. You’re going to go far.”

Flamengo put their faith in their young star

And Kaylane’s breakthrough year has not stopped there. The midfielder recently signed a new contract with Flamengo that will keep her at the Brazilian club until 2028.

The extension is also another sign of Flamengo’s commitment to developing players from their own academy and investing in young talents with the potential to become important members of the first team.

Despite her age, Kaylane has already established herself as a key player for Flamengo and played  an important role for Brazil at the 2026 U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland. Her journey with the club began remarkably early.

Kaylane made her Flamengo debut in 2023 at just 14 years old. By 2026, she had established herself in the senior squad and become a regular starter. Her unusual combination of youth and first-team experience has even earned her the nickname “the experienced rookie”.

From a social project to Brazil’s national team

But Kaylane’s path to this point has not always been straightforward. She was first discovered through a social project before joining Flamengo’s academy in 2022. Just a year later, at 14, she was already making her senior debut.

Now, still only 17, she has trained with Brazil’s senior national team, received advice from Marta herself and established herself at one of the country’s biggest clubs.

The U20 Women’s World Cup represented the next opportunity for Kaylane to show why she is considered one of the brightest talents of Brazil’s new generation. She was in starting XI fo all Brazil's matches and made it to the quarterfinals when they list to the futer champions from Spain. 

For years, Marta has called on the players coming after her to work harder, demand more and ensure the future of Brazilian women’s football.

Kaylane Vieira is still at the very beginning of her career. But if Marta herself is telling her she is going to go far, she might be worth listening to.