U.S. Women's National Team member Megan Rapinoe stunned the sports world by announcing that after the upcoming World Cup Tournament, she will retire from the game.
The star women's soccer player has remained in the headlines throughout much of her career, not only for her soccer talent, but for her extremely controversial political takes, especially concerning former President Donald Trump and the National Anthem.
CBS News reported that Rapinoe, 38, will retire from her team, OL Reign, after what will mark the last tournament of her career.
"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," the soccer player tweeted.
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. pic.twitter.com/XGZ1T9i7Wy
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) July 8, 2023
Rapinoe said in a statement: "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."
CBS News added:
Rapinoe, who began her career in 2006, is an Olympic gold medalist and has won two World Cups. She will be playing for USNWT's third consecutive World Cup win before retiring —an opportunity she has called "incredibly special."
Rapinoe even received a message from President Joe Biden, who tweeted her well wishes in her future endeavors after praising her on her career in the sport.
"World Cup and Olympic Champion. Medal of Freedom recipient. Tireless advocate of equal pay for women and for the dignity and respect of all. Congrats on an incredible career. Looking forward to seeing how you continue to help people believe in themselves and the possibilities of our nation," the president tweeted.
World Cup and Olympic Champion. Medal of Freedom recipient. Tireless advocate of equal pay for women and for the dignity and respect of all.
Congrats on an incredible career. Looking forward to seeing how you continue to help people believe in themselves and the possibilities of… pic.twitter.com/tDKNsZCFcc
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 8, 2023
Rapinoe was widely criticized for kneeling for the National Anthem in 2019shortly after the Colin Kaepernick kneeling controversy. Rapinoe said at the time that it was important for "white people" to support the social justice movement.
Soccer star Megan Rapinoe is a national disgrace just like Kaepernick! She’s supposed to be representing the United States but instead, she disrespectfully kneels during our great National Anthem. Unbelievable! @mPinoe #MeganRapinoe #USA🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/AITMmMBxbC
— Caleb Lawson 🇺🇸 (@realCalebLawson) July 9, 2019
Rapinoe was also accused of "bullying" teammates to take a knee for the National Anthem.
While her retirement announcement was met with praise by her fans, many had a much different take in the "good riddance" essence.
