USWNT superstar Megan Rapinoe will retire from professional soccer following the conclusion of the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League season.
Rapinoe is one of the most iconic female soccer players and personalities in the history of the game. The 38-year-old is set to represent the United States and challenge for a third successive World Cup win.
The attacking midfielder has showcased her remarkable scoring range and clutch ability with key performances in important games. However, she is not only heralded for her incredible talent on the field, but also her work off it.
Rapinoe has been a vocal leader for a number of social issues, including LGBTQ+ rights, racial inequality, voter rights as well as gender and pay equity. Her legacy is cemented as one of the most impactful figures in soccer history in the United States, as well as around the world in the women’s game.
Rapinoe is set to contest her final World Cup this summer in Australia and New Zealand before returning to her long-time club OL Reign. She will play out the 2023 NWSL campaign before calling time on her career.
“I’ve been able to have such an incredible career, and this game has brought me all over the world and allowed me to meet so many amazing people,” Rapinoe said at a press conference. “I feel incredibly grateful to have played as long as I have, to be as successful as we’ve been, and to have been a part of a generation of players who undoubtedly left the game better than they found it. To be able to play one last World Cup and one last NWSL season and go out on my own terms is incredibly special.
“I want to thank my family for being by my side all these years. Thanks to all my teammates and coaches all the way back to my first days in Redding, on to college at the University of Portland and of course thanks to U.S. Soccer, the Seattle Reign and especially Sue, for everything.
“I will forever cherish the friendships and support over the years in this game, and I am beyond excited for one last ride with the National Team and the Reign.”
Rapinoe also took to social media to confirm the news, writing: “It is with a deep sense of peace & 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 & change my life forever, but by the look on this little girl’s face, she knew all along.”
Rapinoe made her international debut against the Republic of Ireland in San Diego back in July 2006. She scored her first two international goal three months later, hitting a double against Chinese Taipei.
Rapinoe has scored 63 career goals with 73 assists. She is tied with Abby Wambach for third all-time in assists for the USWNT, while she is one of only seven players in team history with over 50 career goals and over 50 career assists.
She currently has 199 appearances over her 17-year international career, and the winger is set to become the 14th player in USWNT history to reach 200 caps. Rapinoe is gearing up to play in her fourth Women's World Cup, winning her last two in Canada (2015) and France (2019).
