MIAMI, Florida – Known for her extensive club career in the United States and France and exploits on the international stage as a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion with the United States, FW Megan Rapinoe brought her decorated career to a close, playing her final match on Saturday night with the OL Reign in the NWSL Championship.
While Rapinoe had to depart early in the first half with an injury and her side fell 2-1 to Gotham FC, it was still a magical season for Rapinoe and OL Reign, with whom she won the NWSL Shield three times in 2012, 2014 and 2022.
In her international career, Rapinoe starred within Concacaf, helping the U.S. win the Concacaf W Championship in 2014, 2018 and 2022 and the Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship in 2020. Rapinoe was also named to the Best XI of the 2018 CWC.
In addition to her two Women’s World Cup titles at Canada 2015 and France 2019, Rapinoe claimed medal-winning performances at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, as she won the Gold in London and then helped the U.S. clinch a Bronze in Tokyo.
Rapinoe’s career is well-known all over the world. Her exceptional skills and decision-making on the field are some of her many talents as a footballer. In 2013 she showed her talent overseas, when she signed with the French team Olympique Lyonnais.
She became one of the players to watch every time she took the pitch in Europe, playing in the most important club competitions, the UEFA Women’s Champions League, scoring goals and even reaching the final. Rapinoe didn’t get the chance to win the title, but she did enter an elite group, becoming the fifth U.S. player to play in the Champions League final.
She later returned to the United States to fight in every game she started for both club and country. That recognition grew even larger in 2019, after winning the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball when she became World Champion for the second time in no other place than her former club home, France.
In 2019 she won the France Football Ballon d’Or, as well as receiving FIFA’s The Best award, for what she showed at the Women’s World Cup, growing her legacy even more.
With her last professional game now in the books, it is well worth reflecting and celebrating Rapinoe’s iconic career.
