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Megan Rapinoe Announces Retirement With Sweet Message to Her Younger Self

The OL Reign forward shared that she will step away from professional soccer after this season.

Cara O’Bleness

Megan Rapinoe.

Megan Rapinoe.

Pro soccer player Megan Rapinoe has announced that after this season, she will retire from her sport. The three-time Olympian and USWNT forward shared the news in an emotional Instagram post on July 8.

The 38-year-old posted a photo of herself as a young girl wearing a Mickey and Minnie Mouse T-shirt and a matching fanny pack. She held her hands up to her head as she made a goofy face for the camera.

“It is with a deep sense of peace and gratitude that I have decided this will be my final season playing this beautiful game,” Rapinoe wrote. “I never could have imagined the ways in which soccer would shape and change my life forever, but by the look on this little girl’s face, I think she knew all along ✨.”

Several of the athlete and 2019 SI Swimsuit model’s 2.1 million followers on the platform shared their gratitude and offered well wishes in the comments section.

“Congrats, baby!!” partner Sue Bird exclaimed. “That little girl is going to continue to do so much good in this world (but she sure did kill it on the field 🤩). I love you ❤️.”

“Always inspired by you, @mrapinoe,” the official Nike IG account added. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for sport across the world 🫶⚽️🌎.”

“Your bravery and the way you have shown up for all these years continues to stun me Pinoe!” Abby Wambach applauded. “You are a LEGEND. Go on and get yourself another World Cup, and then give yourself a much deserved rest and recovery. ❤️🙌🔥.”

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Cara O’Bleness
CARA O’BLENESS

Cara is a trending news writer/editor for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. A passionate writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print and online media, she loves storytelling and believes that words have the power to change the world. Prior to joining the team, Cara worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, Cara loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's School of Journalism.

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