World Cup winning women's football icon Megan Rapinoe announces plan to retire
Football star Megan Rapinoe has announced her retirement after a career in which she won two World Cups, Olympic gold, and became a prominent voice on American social politics.
The 38-year-old women's soccer star announced on Saturday her fourth World Cup would be her last.
Rapinoe hangs up her boot after an illustrious and high profile career, in which she led the US team to two World Cup victories, and an Olympic gold medal.
She became an outspoken voice from the world of sport on American social issues, during the Trump era, as racial, gender and sexual political divisions deepened.
Rapinoe and the US team are aiming for a third consecutive title when the Women’s World Cup kicks off on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.
Rapinoe confirmed she will officially retire with the OL Reign at the end of the National Women’s Soccer League season.
“I’m just really grateful to be able to do it in this way," Rapinoe said in San Jose, California, ahead of the match.
“I understand that it is incredibly rare for athletes of any stature to be able to go out in their own way, on their own terms, at the time that they want, in a way that feels really peaceful and settled for them.
"So just wanted to do it now and honestly kind of get it out of the way before we go down to New Zealand so we can focus on the task at hand, which is winning another World Cup.”
On Twitter, she shared a photo of herself as a child, writing: "It is with a deep sense of peace and gratitude that I have decided this will be my final season playing this beautiful game. I never could have imagined the ways in which soccer would shape and change my life forever, but by the look on this little girl’s face, she knew all along."
At the 2019 World Cup in France, Rapinoe scored six goals over the course of the tournament, including a penalty in a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in the final.
She also finished with three assists and claimed the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball for the best overall player.
Rapinoe also took home the Ballon d’Or and the Best FIFA Women’s Player awards — the game’s top individual honors — for her play in 2019.
Rapinoe is tied with Abby Wambach for third all-time in assists for the US Women's National Team and is one of only seven players in team history with more than 50 career goals and assists. She first played for the US senior team in 2006.
Rapinoe has played her entire 11-year NWSL career for the Reign. She has scored the sixth most goals in league history with 48.
She has been an outspoken advocate for equal pay in women’s football and supporter of LGBTQ+ rights.
Rapinoe was embroiled in a row with former US President Donald Trump after footage emerged of her saying "I'm not going to the f*****g White House" when she was asked if she would visit should her team be victorious at the World Cup.
Rapinoe, who is gay, accused Trump of being "sexist" and "misogynistic" and refused to sing the national anthem before matches, prompting the-then president to launch his own attack on her on Twitter, accusing her of disrespect.
Rapinoe also became the first white athlete and first female to kneel during the national anthem in solidarity with former NFL player Colin Kaepernick, according to US Soccer.
President Joe Biden last year awarded Rapinoe the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
She is engaged to be married to women’s basketball icon Sue Bird.
“I don’t even think there are words to say what she’s meant to the growth of soccer in this country, and not just this country, worldwide," US forward Sophia Smith said.
"She is a legend...So it is a really sad and bittersweet time. But I’m excited to be able to go on this last journey with her in the World Cup and see all the great things that she does after her career.”
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