Brazil captain Marquinhos has admitted that the 2026 FIFA World Cup might be his last opportunity to write his name into football history. The 32-year-old defender, speaking in an interview on FIFA's website on Friday, said he's fully aware of the scale of the challenge and the responsibility he must shoulder.

Marquinhos has never made it past the quarter-finals in two previous World Cup campaigns. In 2018, Brazil lost 2-1 to Belgium. Four years later, they were eliminated on penalties by Croatia after a 1-1 draw. In that shootout, Marquinhos saw his decisive penalty cannon back off the inside of the post.

“At 32, this might be my last chance,” Marquinhos said. He's experienced frustration at club level too, he noted, and knows that success comes down to the finest details — making as few mistakes as possible, capitalising on opponents' errors, and staying strong through difficult moments.

Now, three-and-a-half years after that gut-wrenching miss, Marquinhos says he's ready to lead his country. He believes his main duty is to guide the team through pressure-filled moments. “Leaders really come into their own in difficult and challenging circumstances,” he explained. “That’s when you need to step up and carry the mantle of responsibility, especially for the younger players, for those who aren’t used to the pressure cooker and the furore that surrounds the national team when times get tough.”

Marquinhos has often become the team's spokesperson during adversity. “When times get tough, you need to be strong, help maintain a sense of calm and understand that you can turn things around through hard work, training and dedication,” he said.

Despite Brazil's turbulent four-year cycle — which has seen five different head coaches and a fifth-place finish in CONMEBOL qualification — Marquinhos remains optimistic. “We’ve got so many great players, with a plethora of options in all areas,” he said. “We need to continue to mould our identity and understand how we can hurt our opponents and how best to adapt when the going gets tough.”

The team also has Italian tactician Carlo Ancelotti at the helm. Ancelotti is the only manager to have won the UEFA Champions League five times and has secured league titles in Italy, England, France, Germany, and Spain. “Ancelotti is a serial winner who has proven that he knows how to transform a team into champions,” Marquinhos said. “He’s brought a real spark to the group, that extra edge we needed going into this World Cup.”

Marquinhos’ love for the World Cup began in 2002, when he was eight years old and watched Brazil's star-studded team — featuring Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho — win the fifth star. “That lit the touchpaper for my passion for football, Brazil and the World Cup,” he recalled. Representing Brazil at the World Cup became his number-one goal — a dream that came true in 2018.

Now, with the 2026 tournament approaching, Marquinhos is determined to savour every moment. He knows this may be his final dance on football's biggest stage.