Megan Rapinoe has announced the forthcoming Women's World Cup will be her last.
The USA forward, one of the biggest stars in the women's game in recent years, made the announcement days before she leaves for her fourth Women's World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand where the USA are looking to retain the trophy. Rapinoe has won the title twice previously and also claimed the Ballon d'Or in 2019 after the States lifted the trophy in France.
She will retire for good at the end of her 2023 club season with NWSL side OL Reign, following this summer's finals, with the play-off final taking place on November 11 potentially her final game should Reign go all the way. The 38-year-old is one of the most iconic players and personalities in the history of the women's game and will be sorely missed throughout the sport.
Yet Rapinoe isn't the only global star who could be undertaking their 'last dance' at the finals in Australia and New Zealand. Here are some other huge names who may be about to set foot on the biggest stage in the sport for the final time.
Marta
At the age of 37, this will be Marta's final World Cup finals outing for her beloved Brazil. Arguably the greatest female footballer of all-time, she needs little introduction.
The Brazilian forward has been injured with an ACL tear over the last year but has managed to get herself fit in time for the tournament, which she has confirmed will be her final bow at the finals, which will be her sixth appearance. Marta has previously won the golden boot at the finals as the leading scoring back in 2007 when she led the Selecao all the way to the final.
Brazil should be able to get through Group F, alongside France, Panama and Jamaica but will they be able to give the GOAT a perfect send-off under the Australian sunshine? If the women's World Cup finals record goalscorer is on top form, the South American champions could be dark horses to go all the way.
Christine Sinclair
Only last month Canada's greatest-ever player turned 40, meaning this too will be Christine Sinclair's final shot at World Cup glory. No footballer, male or female, has scored more international goals than the veteran forward who will make her sixth appearance at the finals.
Sinclair has won a major international title previously, with Canada claiming gold at the 2021 Olympic Games. But the legendary Canadian, who has been nominated for FIFA World Player of the Year on eight occasions, has yet to lift the biggest prize in the game.
Sinclair has already scored at five separate finals so you can put money on her doing the same in Australia. Canada have a tricky-looking group with the co-hosts, Republic of Ireland and Nigeria, but you wouldn't rule out Sinclair producing some big performances to carry them into the latter stages.
Alex Morgan
Like Rapinoe, Former Tottenham star Alex Morgan will be chasing a third straight World Cup this summer with the USWNT. But could this also be her final appearance on the grandest stage?
The experienced forward, 34, was this week named co-captain for the finals, alongside Lindsey Horan with regular skipper Becky Sauerbrunn out injured. Morgan is one of the most experienced players in the squad and will be crucial to American chances, playing her part in France four years ago when scoring a huge winner in the semi-final success over England.
Morgan may now be in the latter stages of her career but the injury blow to Mallory Swanson, who will miss the tournament, means her contribution could be more important than ever.
But at 34 there are no guarantees she will be back in 2027, meaning this could be the final time we see her at the finals. If the USA win the trophy once again, or Morgan feels she has nothing left to prove, she could well follow her long-time teammate Rapinoe into international retirement.
Eugenie Le Sommer
Eugenie Le Sommer is another World Cup legend with the French striker already having got five goals at previous finals on her record. Recalled to the international set-up by new boss Herve Renard, Le Sommer is bang in-form and likely to start up-front.
There is no sign Le Sommer is about to slow down as she enters the autumn of her career. The all-time France record goalscorer has just penned a new contract at club Lyon, keeping her at the French giants until 2024 at least.
But at the age of 34, a return to the World Cup finals in 2027 would seem unlikely. So Le Sommer will be approaching this as her final big chance to lift an international title.
Considering she recently had two years in international exile, before her recall Renard in March, the French legend will be grateful not just to be watching on television. The Lyon star has been given a second life at international level, and expect her to leave her mark on the finals in Australia and New Zealand.
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