SAN JOSE, Calif.—U.S. forward Megan Rapinoe will retire after this season, the 38-year-old said on Saturday, days before she leaves for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Ms. Rapinoe will compete in her fourth World Cup when the tournament kicks off on July 20, and said she will hang up her cleats after completing her National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season.
“I could have just, like, never imagined where this beautiful game would have taken me,” said Ms. Rapinoe, who is the oldest player on one of the most inexperienced squads the United States have produced.
“I feel so honored to be able to have represented this country and this federation for so many years. It’s truly been the greatest thing that I’ve ever done.”
Speaking to reporters in her home state of California, Ms. Rapinoe said she had known for about a year that this would be the point at which she would be ready to retire.
“I just want to be able to soak in every moment and, you know, share it with team mates and friends and family and share it with the rest of the world. And I’m just really grateful to be able to do it in this way,” Ms. Rapinoe said.
“I feel very grateful that I’m here and that I have the trust of this team and that my body has held up this long to do this.”
The United States are gunning for an unprecedented third consecutive title at the World Cup. They played Wales in a farewell warm-up match on Sunday in San Jose, California.
The United States will kick off their World Cup campaign on July 22 against Vietnam.
