Marta ruled out of Brazil's World Cup opener with thigh injury

Brazil will kick off its 2019 World Cup campaign without one of the game's brightest stars.

Marta, the six-time FIFA Player of the Year, will miss Sunday's match against Jamaica as she continues to work back from a thigh injury, manager Vadao confirmed Saturday.

"She has been recovering better than expected, but she cannot start," Vadao said at a news conference, according to ESPN. "Maybe she will be on the bench, but our plan is that she doesn't take part in the game."

The 33-year-old forward picked up the injury during a training session last week. Vadao added that he's hopeful the iconic attacker will return for the clash against fellow Group C heavyweight Australia on June 13.

Brazil limps into the tournament on the back of nine consecutive defeats.