Ballon d’Or and World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe announces that she will play her last World Cup this summer.
On the 8th of July 2023, Megan Rapinoe announced that she will be retiring at a press conference in San Jose, California. In her recent announcement, Rapinoe stated “I feel so honoured to have represented this country and this federation for many years. It’s truly been the greatest thing I’ve ever done”. Rapinoe also further announced that the Australian and New Zealand World Cup will see her wear the USA shirt professionally for the last time.
Rapinoe, 38, has seen her career grow and develop a long way since growing up in redding, California, just 250 miles from where she announced her retirement. Between these events, the American superstar has had a decorated career winning a total of 3 NWSL shields, 1 best XI and 2 second XI selections, as well as domestic achievements such as being the league’s all-time leading goal scorer. Rapinoe also had a successful international career, with 63 goals and 73 assists, 199 caps for USA, winning an Olympic gold medal in 2012 and World Cup victories with USA in 2015 and 2019.
Even though Rapinoe had an incredibly successful career on the pitch, her work as a spokesperson and advocate for equal pay across women’s football and her work in promoting LGBTQ+ rights in and out of football stands out. The American legends work didn’t go unnoticed across America and the wider world, with President Joe Biden awarding the American star the Presidential Medal of Freedom- which is the nation’s highest civilian honour.
Rapinoe’s personality and her ability to be a team player both on and off the pitch has always been noticed by her USA teammates and USA team captain Alex Morgan, stating that “She’s been the backbone of this team”.
In the final international tournament of her career Rapinoe is looking towards a successful competition with team USA being one of the favourites in this years FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.
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