Megan Rapinoe announced her retirement from football on Saturday after suffering 

an injury in the first few minutes of the NWSL final. The 38-year-old two-time World Cup champion called the National Women’s Soccer League final between OL Reign and NJ/NY Gotham FC the last game of her career. In 2022, President Joe Biden awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States which is also the highest civilian honour.

As per the reports, she had suffered a torn Achilles tendon brought a premature end to her night. Gotham won the game 2-1, meaning that after helping the United States win two World Cups and an Olympic gold medal, Rapinoe’s career ended without an NWSL trophy despite spending 11 seasons with the Seattle-based Reign. 

She also won the Ballon d’Or in 2019. Rapinoe fell in a non-contact play with the opponent in the third minute and fell to the ground, unable to continue with the injury and leaving the field shortly thereafter in tears.

“It’s definitely not how I had imagined this last game” – Megan Rapinoe

She said, “It’s definitely not how I had imagined this last game… I’m pretty sure I ruptured my Achilles tendon. I’ve always tried to play the game the right way, always tried to enjoy it. At the end of the day, I feel like we are in the entertainment business and especially in a growing sport and a growing league, I feel like that’s really important. I’ve always tried to make things better and I just walk away so proud and so happy of not only my contributions to the game but the era that I’ve played in.” 

“Knowing that the game is in such a better place and that’s testament to all the players that have played in this generation and played in this league, some of us playing with the national team […] This league was insane this year, it was so much fun to watch and be a part of, all the storylines, so I feel like I get to walk away just smiling no matter what and really proud of my entire career.”