Published: 9:16, 12 Nov 2023Updated: 9:43, 12 Nov 2023
Megan Rapinoe suffered a heartbreaking end to her football career as an injury cut short her farewell game.
Just three minutes into the NWSL final between OL Reign and Gotham FC, the 38-year-old fell to the ground with a non-contact injury.
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Rapinoe suffered a suspected Achilles injuryCredit: AFP
It appeared as though her foot got caught in the turf at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.
It was a devastating blow for Rapinoe to exit her last ever match just minutes into it and she later confirmed a suspected Achilles injury.
“It felt like just a huge pop,” Rapinoe said. “The worst possible outcome, I just thank god I have like a f—ing deep well of sense of humor, but yeah, I mean, just obviously devastating to go out in the final so early.”
OL Reign went on to lose 2-1 to Gotham FC in the final, denying the 38-year-old the chance to win the NWSL Championship for the first time in her career.
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In a decade with the club, she has won the NWSL Shield three times, but never the Championship.
She retires an icon of USA women’s football, though, having won two World Cups and an Olympic gold medal across an illustrious career.
Rapinoe made 203 appearances for the national team, scoring 63 times.
She was also awarded the Ballon d’Or Feminin in 2019, becoming just the second ever winner.
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Rapinoe had to be helped from the pitch in her final ever gameCredit: AFP
Megan Rapinoe goes down with an injury less than three minutes into the NWSL Final in her last career game 💔
She receives a standing ovation from Snapdragon Stadium pic.twitter.com/uwqG2epzMK
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) November 12, 2023
Gotham star Ali Krieger, who was a USWNT teammate of Rapinoe, said: “It’s just so sad. I feel for her and will be there every step of the way for her recovery, as I know how hard that can be.
“It’s devastating and changed the whole game. Then I just have to focus on us and on winning, despite the fact she got injured.
“I never wanted that to happen because I wanted to celebrate with her at the end.”
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