Lesbian soccer icon/activist Megan Rapinoe plans to retire at the end of the year, according to media reports.
Rapinoe, 38, has played for the U.S. women's national team since 2006. The upcoming Women's World Cup will be her fourth, and it's scheduled to begin later this month in Australia and New Zealand, per Deadline.
Four years ago, Rapinoe won the Ballon d'Or Feminin as the player of the year in women's soccer and earned the Golden Boot as the top scorer as well as the Golden Ball as the top player of the World Cup.
The 11-year league veteran and U.S. women's national team standout will play her final regular-season match at Seattle's Lumen Field on Oct. 6 against the Washington Spirit, ESPN noted. Rapinoe joined the OL Reign during the National Women's Soccer League's inaugural season in 2013 and holds the club records for goals (48) and assists (25) in 109 matches.
Rapinoe has been engaged to former WNBA superstar Sue Bird since 2020.
Andrew Davis