U.S. women’s football icon Rapinoe exits her final game with injury

Megan Rapinoe, a legendary winger in the history of U.S. women’s football, sustained an injury and had to exit her final game early during the match between OL Reign and NJ/NY Gotham at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California, on Saturday.

The injury occurred in the sixth minute of the first half, without contact with any other player. She was promptly substituted by Bethany Balcer, and the Reign ultimately succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against the Gotham in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) championship game.

“It felt like just a huge pop,” Rapinoe said. “The worst possible outcome, I just thank god I have like a f****** deep well of sense of humor, but yeah, I mean, just obviously devastating to go out in the final so early.”

Reflecting on the incident, the 38-year-old veteran added, “That’s life, it’s part of the game. I was feeling really good before the game, wasn’t feeling tight or wasn’t having calf issues or anything. You don’t always get to have the perfect ending.”

Rapinoe retired from the U.S. national team after making 203 appearances between 2006 and 2023. During her tenure, she scored 63 goals, provided 73 assists, and notably contributed to the team’s victories in two FIFA Women’s World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, in addition to securing an Olympic gold medal in 2012, among other honors.

At the club level, Rapinoe played 148 professional games for Olympique Lyonnais in the Division 1 Feminine (D1F) and the Reign in the NWSL. She netted 63 goals and claimed titles including one D1F championship, one Coupe de France Feminine, three NWSL Shield championships, and one Women’s Cup.

“I feel so lucky and so grateful to have played as long as I’ve played and to have played with the incredible players that I’ve played [with],” Rapinoe said. “Every sort of new cycle that I’ve come with, I’ve gotten close to certain players and built relationships and played with some of the very best players in the world.”