Olympic champion Megan Rapinoe will retire after 2023 season

Football legend Megan Rapinoe's storied career is coming to a close.

The London 2012 Olympic gold medallist and two-time World Cup champion announced Saturday (8 July) in a post on social media that she will step away from the sport following the 2023 season.

"It is with a deep sense of peace & gratitude that I have decided this will be my final season playing this beautiful game," wrote the 38-year-old. "I never could have imagined the ways in which soccer would shape & change my life forever, but by the look on this little girl’s face, she knew all along."

In additon to her World Cup and Olympic wins, Rapinoe also helped Team USA to bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Since 2013, she has played for Seattle's OL Reign, scoring some 50 goals across nine seasons.

Off the field, Rapinoe, who is openly gay, has been a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ and women's rights, having been an leader in the efforts for equal pay for her U.S. Women's National Team.