Megan Rapinoe, double world champion with the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, will play her last professional match on September 24 at Soldier Field in Chicago as announced by the United States Soccer Federation on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old attacker announced her retirement as a professional player back in July, before the start of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, and said she would do so at the end of the current NWSL season, where she plays for the OL Reign.
Rapinoe made history on and off the field
Rapinoe, undoubtedly one of the most important players in the history of U.S. men’s and women’s soccer, will close her career with 203 professional caps, a mark that only 14 players have achieved in U.S. history.
As a U.S. international, Rapinoe scored 63 goals and provided 73 assists. She made her debut in 2006 and made history with world titles in 2015 and 2019.
She was also part of the U.S. expedition at the last World Cup, where the U.S. was looking to set a record with its third crown.
However, the USWNT was eliminated by Sweden in the round of 16 after a penalty kick shootout in which Rapinoe missed her attempt.
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“People may think that closing my career brings sadness, but when I look back on my 30-plus years of playing soccer, my main emotions are joy and gratitude,” Rapinoe said.
A leading figure for the LGBT community
Rapinoe is also a key figure in the fight for LGBT rights (her partner is basketball legend Sue Bird), and also for her activism in the push for equal pay for men and women.
In 2022, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States.
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