Rapinoe has eased into a substitute role in the four years since becoming a star in France, crediting her fiancée, retired Women’s National Basketball Association great Sue Bird, with helping her take the next step off the court.
An advocate for a range of social causes, Rapinoe famously sparred with former US President Donald Trump during the 2019 World Cup and earned a public rebuke from American football when she knelt during the national anthem in 2016 in solidarity with NFL player Colin Kaepernick. .
“I feel incredibly grateful to have played as long as I have played, to be as successful as we have been, and to be part of a generation of players who left the game undeniably better than they found them.”
Her club, the OL Reign, where she’s spent her entire NWSL career, will host a celebration for her on Oct. 6.
Rapinoe joined the OL Reign in its inaugural season and holds the team record for most career goals (48) and assists (25).
The United States kicked off their World Cup campaign on July 22 against Vietnam.
Reuters