Megan Rapinoe: What now for the USA legend following USWNT retirement?
Following her final farewell from the United States Women's National Team, what does the future hold for Megan Rapinoe?
Football
“I’m one of you guys now.”
Those are the words Megan Rapinoe said to adoring USA supporters, after starring for her national team for the final time on Sunday (24 September).
Hanging up her boots on what has been an illustrious football career for the United States, the player known as 'Pinoe' goes out a bonafide legend of the women's game.
Known for her pin-point set pieces, it only felt fitting that her final goal involvement on the international stage would come in the form of an assist from a corner.
“It has been such an honour to be able to wear this shirt and play with all these amazing players and live out my childhood dream in front of the world,” she said, fighting back the tears.
Her legacy on and off the pitch is simply unparalleled – but what is next for Rapinoe?
Megan Rapinoe: Won it all, fought the lot
On the pitch, Rapinoe has near enough won it all.
From domestic titles, Olympic golds, and a World Cup double, to the Ballon d’Or, her lengthy list of honours speak for themselves.
She has been at the forefront of a United States Women's National Soccer Team (USWNT) side who dominated the international stage for years.
“We have fought so hard on the field, had so much fun, been so successful, doing it underneath all of your guys’ cheers,” she said to fans in her farewell speech.
But for Rapinoe, her fight - and the fight of many others - continued off the pitch. Whether it was leading the charge for equal pay, LGBTQ+ rights, or the fight against racial inequality, she was unwavering and unapologetic.
It is one of the many reasons Rapinoe adorned herself to her fans and to many around the world, with her iconic no.15 jersey being repped across the globe.
“It’s a really beautiful thing to look out and see little Black girls and little trans kids and boys with our jerseys on,” she said.
“I think that’s something that all of us are really proud of and all of us - especially in our generation - know the impact we’ve made, and we know that’s a lot different than when we started.”
Megan Rapinoe: What next?
Rapinoe is not done with football just yet, as she prepares to bid her final farewell to her club career with OL Reign next month.
That game will see them face off against Chicago Red Stars - the club at which her senior career began - a truly full circle moment for the 38-year-old.
After dedicating her life to the sport she loves, she admits she's excited for the freedom that follows sporting retirement.
“I can’t wait to be untethered,” she told The Ringer.
“And to be able to take trips, and do stuff, and move on, or move to a different area in my life.
“I want to go to Italy for a month, it’d be so nice.”
From trips to business endeavours and even home renovation, there is plenty to look forward to for the two-time World Cup winner.
While other athletes may feel limited by the idea of stepping away from the very thing that consumed their lives, Rapinoe sees a world of possibility on the horizon.
“I don’t feel a big sense of dread like it’s over,” she admitted.
“I’m like, 'Damn, I got to play until I was 38, go to all these World Cups, do all this stuff.'
“And now I have such a big life after - I have so much that I can do.”