The 2023 World Cup will be Megan Rapinoe’s final run on the global stage.
The 38-year-old American announced earlier this month that she will retire at the end of the 2023 NWSL season. It will bring to a close an illustrious career for Rapinoe, who has won two World Cups and an Olympic gold medal as a member of the US Women’s National Team.
Rapinoe has been an outspoken advocate on a number of social issues throughout her career, including equal pay in women’s soccer and LGBTQ+ rights. President Joe Biden awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom last year.
The 2023 tournament, which will be Rapinoe’s fourth as a member of the national team, features an American team aiming for a third consecutive World Cup title. The USWNT beat the Netherlands in the 2019 final and Japan in the 2015 final.
Rapinoe won both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball at the 2019 World Cup.
The tournament began July 20, with both host countries, New Zealand and Australia, hosting their first games of the competition. The championship match is scheduled for August 20.
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When is Megan Rapinoe retiring?
Rapinoe said this World Cup would be her last and she is retiring at the end of the 2023 NWSL season.
The final matchday of the season is scheduled for Oct. 15.
Why is Megan Rapinoe retiring?
Rapinoe said in her announcement that she’s “known for probably a year” that she’s ready for retirement, and that she felt a “deep sense of peace and gratitude and excitement” in making the decision.
“I could never have imagined where this beautiful game would take me,” she said, her eyes shining with tears. “I’m so honored to have represented this country and this federation for so many years, it’s truly been the greatest thing I’ve ever done, and it’s something I’m so grateful for.”
“We have shown that we have the power to change the world,” Rapinoe said. “The more we use our voice and create space for ourselves, we’re creating space for other people as well. Our mission is to keep evolving and progressing and keep throwing our ladders down and bringing as many people along with us as we possibly can… I think that’s our ultimate goal, to use (sport) to make the world a better place.”
Rapinoe also acknowledged how rare it is for an athlete of her caliber to go out on their own terms and said she’s “very grateful I’m here and have the trust of this team and that my body has held up long enough.”
How many goals has Megan Rapinoe scored for the USWNT?
Rapinoe first played for the US senior team in 2006.
Since then, she has scored 63 goals and recorded 73 assists. She is tied with Abby Wambach for third all-time in assists and is one of only seven players in team history with more than 50 career goals and assists.
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Megan Rapinoe’s NWSL career
Rapinoe has played her entire 11-year NWSL career for the OL Reign, a team based in Seattle, Washington.
She has scored 48 goals in her NWSL career, which ranks sixth in league history.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Megan Rapinoe retiring? When will she retire? What to know