Cricket's most influential figure in Brazil, Roberta Moretti, announces international retirement
Roberta Moretti (Source: IG/@robertadmmoretti)
Published - 18 Jun 2026, 02:45 PM• Read time - 2 mins
Former Brazil women’s cricket captain Roberta Moretti has announced her retirement from international cricket, closing the chapter on a remarkable journey. The 40‑year‑old shared the news through an emotional Instagram video, marking the end of a career that helped put Brazilian cricket on the map.
Moretti has long been the face of cricket in Brazil, inspiring countless youngsters, boys and girls alike, to take up the sport. She leaves the game as Brazil’s leading run‑scorer in women’s T20Is with 1,278 runs, and as its most capped player with 68 appearances.
Reflecting on her journey, she said: “It has been a long journey. We had a lot of tears but now I feel the moment is right. Since I started playing cricket in 2013, my dream was to represent the Brazilian national team. When I started playing for Brazil, my dream was to win championships. When we started winning, my dream turned out to be about not just winning but winning with clear values, a purpose and that we could be better people through sport. I have given this game everything, but cricket gave me more.”
Her international debut came on August 23, 2018, against Mexico at the South American Women’s Championships, while her final outing was against Malawi at the Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament on June 17.
As captain, Moretti guided Brazil to two South American Championship titles and also led the side in the Women’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifiers in 2021 and 2023. Under her leadership, Brazil won 21 matches and lost 12, giving her a win percentage of 63.63%.
In her farewell message, she emphasised the values that cricket instilled:
“It was never only about a sport; it was always about growing as people. I am thrilled with every achievement for Cricket Brazil from the time we were just playing South American tournaments when we needed to sell raffles and pizzas to fundraise and compete to know where we are in an Olympic sport. Every story has a cycle, and every cycle has an ending. Talking to people in the last few months, I have a lot of respect, care and gratitude for everything that cricket has given me and I can say I have made this decision with peace in my heart.”
Moretti, who now serves as president of Cricket Brasil, has vowed to continue championing the sport in her second innings.
“I’ll continue to work in cricket on the other side, so that more people have the opportunity I had to wear the Brazil jersey, play the sport they love and become better people and leaders so that they can carry Cricket Brazil with the same pride I carried in my heart for years. The most important thing in all of this is that I leave cricket still loving the game.”
