Legend Megan Rapinoe Is Playing Her Final World Cup. Here’s a Look Back at Her Career.

Megan Rapinoe took the world by storm during the 2019 Women’s World Cup, capturing hearts with her blend of energetic play, entertaining celebrations, and fearless leadership on and off the field. The US Women’s National Team (USWNT) player, who’s instantly recognizable for her iconic pixie cut — which has been dyed pink, blue, purple, and even icy blond — has competed on the international stage for 17 years and racked up some impressive accolades along the way.

Rapinoe (pronounced ra-pee-no) has played professionally for the OL Reign since its inception in 2013 and went to the University of Portland, where she won a national title and helped the team to an undefeated season in her freshman year. She made her USWNT debut in 2006 and, despite being sidelined by knee injuries in 2008 and 2009, returned to help the US become runners-up at the 2011 World Cup and win the 2012 Olympics. Once known more for her assists than her goals, she won the Golden Boot after scoring most goals in the 2019 World Cup, including one during the quarterfinals against France and an ice-cold penalty in the final versus the Netherlands. And of course, beyond her on-field heroics, Rapinoe is famous for being a leader in the team’s victorious fight for equal pay and a vocal advocate for racial justice.

Now, Rapinoe is taking the field with the USWNT at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be her last. That’s right: this will be the soccer legend’s final World Cup; Rapinoe announced that she’s retiring after this World Cup and the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League season, which ends in October.

Keep reading to get to know Rapinoe and learn more about her iconic career before she steps off the field for the last time as a professional athlete.

— Additional reporting by Lauren Mazzo