Badminton queen Ma Lin plans to retire at the 2026 European Championships, and the Rio Olympics questioned Li Xuerui's fraudulent injury

Although the Spanish badminton queen Marin (Marin) has not yet decided on a comeback date, she has revealed her retirement plans again, and she hopes to retire after the European Badminton Championships in April next year. Marin is currently one of the most accomplished badminton players in the world, with three world titles (2014, 2015 and 2018), a gold medal at Rio 2016 and seven European Championships (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2024).

Spanish Badminton Queen Marlene (Marin)

In the last two Olympic Games, he suffered serious injuries. In the semifinals of the badminton women's singles at last year's Paris Olympics, against China's He Bingjiao, Ma Lin accidentally fell and retired with a knee injury. Before the Tokyo Olympics, Ma Lin underwent surgery for a knee injury and had no choice but to miss the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Later, he also had surgery on his other knee, so it was not easy to reach the semi-finals of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Rio Olympics questioned Li Xuerui's fraudulent injury. Ma Lin sprained her knee at 16-18 in the second game of the 2016 Rio Olympics against China's Li Xuerui, who finished the game with an injury.

Although Marin recently uploaded training photos and announced that she will not return until the 2026 European Championships, it is a mystery whether the 32-year-old Marin will be able to maintain her former form after suffering two serious injuries.

Marlene will retire in her hometown as she wishes. "I know that Spain will host the European Badminton Championships in 2026, although I don't know where it will be held yet, but I hope to hold it in Huelva, Spain, so that I can retire in my hometown, which is my biggest dream right now," Marin said.

For the European Championship in Huelva, the stadium was named after Marlene. In response to Marin's request to retire from her hometown, the president of the Spanish Badminton Association, Azulmendi, tried his best to make it clear that the 2026 European Badminton Championships will be held in Spain from April 6 to 12. He also said that Marlene is the best ambassador of Huelva, and a dignified retirement ceremony will be held for Marlene.