Outpouring of support for Toni Pressley as she battles breast cancer

Pride defender Toni Pressley is recovering following breast cancer surgery on Friday in Orlando, Fla., and receiving stadium-sized support from fans, friends and even rival teams like the North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns.

But the most heartwarming message was posted Sunday evening on Instagram by Marta, her girlfriend and Orlando Pride teammate, as well as Brazilian national team forward.

Here is what Marta wrote in her post, translated from Portuguese:

“Thank you my lord for the friends,

Friendship is a fragrant flower,

To have friends is to feel infinity

Without friends you can’t walk.”

The team announced Pressley’s diagnosis Wednesday, as she began treatment, ProSoccerUSA reported.

“We can’t imagine what Toni is going through,” Pride general manager Erik Ustruck said. “On behalf of everyone at the Club, I would like to extend our unconditional support to Toni, her family and the members of our Orlando Pride family throughout the entirety of the treatment process. Toni’s health and well-being is, of course, our biggest priority. We are happy to be able to provide her with the full backing of the Club, the NWSL and our partners at Orlando Health.”

Pressley, 29, was placed on the 45 day disabled list and will remain so during her treatment. She thanked supporters via social media. Here’s her tweet:

And a longer message via Instagram:

Rival teams sent their good wishes as well.

And her own team — which is sponsored by Orlando Health, where Pressley is receiving treatment — showed its support Sunday as well.

Of course, her fans around the world are pulling for Pressley, too.

We at Outsports wish Toni a complete and swift recovery! Send your own best wishes to Toni Pressley via her Twitter or Instagram accounts.