Soccer star Megan Rapinoe has announced she will retire at the conclusion of the 2023 National Women's Soccer League season.
The 11-year league veteran and US women's national team standout will play her final regular-season match for OL Reign at Seattle's Lumen Field on October 6 against the Washington Spirit.
Rapinoe, 38, is currently preparing to compete with the two-time defending champion US national team at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, which runs from July 20-August 20 in New Zealand and Australia.
Rapinoe has also confirmed this will be her final World Cup.
"I've been able to have such an incredible career, and this game has brought me all over the world and allowed me to meet so many amazing people," Rapinoe said.
"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.
"To be able to play one last World Cup and one last NWSL season, and go out on my own terms is incredibly special."
Rapinoe joined the Reign during the NWSL's inaugural season in 2013, and holds the club records for goals (48) and assists (25) in 109 matches.
She has won three NWSL Shields with the Reign, and earned one Best XI and two Second XI selections. She is also the league's all-time leader with 13 penalty kick goals.
Internationally, Rapinoe has earned 199 caps and a 2012 Olympic gold medal, along with the World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019, when she was named Best FIFA Women's Player and won the Ballon d'Or Feminin.
Rapinoe has 63 goals and 73 assists with the national team, while compiling a record of 157-14-28.
"I want to thank my family for being by my side all these years," Rapinoe said. "Thanks to all my teammates and coaches all the way back to my first days in Redding, on to college at the University of Portland, and of course thanks to US Soccer, the Seattle Reign and especially Sue [Bird] for everything.
"I will forever cherish the friendships and support over the years in this game, and I am beyond excited for one last ride with the national team and the Reign."
In 2022, Rapinoe became the first soccer player ever to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Reuters
