SAN JOSE, Calif. — Megan Rapinoe’s soccer career has unfolded largely on her terms, so it made sense that it should end that way, with the two-time world champion and 2019 FIFA player of the year announcing Saturday that this season will be her last.
Rapinoe will play what could be her final home match for the national team Sunday before heading to New Zealand for this summer’s World Cup. She then plans to finish the NWSL season with the OL Reign before stepping aside, leaving behind a hole far too big for one woman to fill.
“I’m just really grateful to be able to do it in this way,” said Rapinoe, 38. “It is incredibly rare for athletes or any stature to go out in their own way, on their own terms, in a way that feels peaceful and settled for them. So I wanted to do it now and kind of get it out of the way before we go down to New Zealand so we can focus on the task at hand, which is winning another World Cup.”
