![Coach Jill Ellis of the United States Women's National Team...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
Coach Jill Ellis of the United States Women's National Team receives the Keys of the City from Mayor Bill De Blasio and his wife Chirlane during a ceremony outside New York's City Hall on July 10, 2019.
![A woman displays an equal pay sign during the Ticker...]()
Jeff Bachner for New York Daily News
A woman displays an equal pay sign during the Ticker Tape Parade on Broadway for the victorious American women's soccer team on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Megan Rapinoe (C) and other members of the United States...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
Megan Rapinoe (C) and other members of the United States Women's National Team pose for photos at City Hall in New York City following a Ticker Tape Parade to celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup on July 10, 2019.
![Pieces of paper fall down on the Ticker Tape Parade...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Pieces of paper fall down on the Ticker Tape Parade to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team win at the 2019 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Ashlyn Harris, left, and Megan Rapinoe pose for pictures during...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
Ashlyn Harris, left, and Megan Rapinoe pose for pictures during the United States Women's National Team celebration in New York City on July 10, 2019.
![U.S. Women's National Team player Julie Ertz celebrates on a...]()
Go Nakamura for New York Daily News
U.S. Women's National Team player Julie Ertz celebrates on a float during a Ticker Tape Parade through the Canyon of Heroes in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Young girls cheer as the U.S. Women's National Team goes...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Young girls cheer as the U.S. Women's National Team goes by during a Ticker Tape Parade to celebrate the team's 2019 FIFA World Cup Win in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![U.S. Women's National Team players Allie Long, left, and Megan...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
U.S. Women's National Team players Allie Long, left, and Megan Rapinoe wave to the crowd during a Ticker Tape Parade in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, to celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup win.
![Mayor Bill de Blasio and wife Chirlane ride on a...]()
Jeff Bachner for New York Daily News
Mayor Bill de Blasio and wife Chirlane ride on a float with the champions during the Ticker Tape Parade on Broadway for the victorious American women's soccer team on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Fans show up to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team...]()
Ennica Jacob/New York Daily News
Fans show up to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team decked out in the jersey of their favorite players in Manhattan on July 10, 2019.
![Governor Andrew Cuomo rides a float with some of the...]()
Jeff Bachner for New York Daily News
Governor Andrew Cuomo rides a float with some of the U.S. Women's National Team during the Ticker Tape Parade on Broadway to celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup win on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Members of the Fogo Azul female drummers perform during the...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
Members of the Fogo Azul female drummers perform during the United States Women's National Team celebration at New York's City Hall on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Megan Rapinoe has announced her retirement. In this photo, Rapinoe...]()
Maja Hitij/Getty Images
Megan Rapinoe has announced her retirement. In this photo, Rapinoe celebrates following her sides victory in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup on July 7, 2019, in Lyon, France.
![Governor Andrew Cuomo rides a float at the Ticker Tape...]()
Jeff Bachner for New York Daily News
Governor Andrew Cuomo rides a float at the Ticker Tape Parade on Broadway for the victorious American women's soccer team on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![U.S. Women's National Team player Carli Llyod kisses the FIFA...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
U.S. Women's National Team player Carli Llyod kisses the FIFA World Cup trophy during a Ticker Tape Parade to celebrate the team's championship win in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Allie Long, left, Megan Rapinoe and other members of the...]()
Go Nakamura for New York Daily News
Allie Long, left, Megan Rapinoe and other members of the U.S. Women's National Team cheer during a Ticker Tape Parade to celebrate their win at the 2019 FIFA World Cup against the Netherlands in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Paper litters the streets of Manhattan following a Ticker Tape...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Paper litters the streets of Manhattan following a Ticker Tape Parade to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team's 2019 FIFA World Cup win on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![A motorcade rides up Broadway during the Ticker Tape Parade...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
A motorcade rides up Broadway during the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S. Women's National Team as they celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York.
![Fans cheer from above the Ticker Tape Parade for the...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Fans cheer from above the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S. Women's National Team as they celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York.
![Fans hold up signs that read "Pinoe For President" and...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Fans hold up signs that read "Pinoe For President" and "That's The MF Tea" as they wait for the U.S. Women's National Team to arrive for their Ticker Tape Parade on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York.
![Fans celebrate during the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S....]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Fans celebrate during the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S. Women's National Team as they celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York.
![Fans have some fun during the Ticker Tape Parade in...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Fans have some fun during the Ticker Tape Parade in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Equal Pay signs can be seen throughout the Ticker Tape...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Equal Pay signs can be seen throughout the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S. Women's National Team as they celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York.
![Fans cheer along the victory parade to celebrate the U.S....]()
Go Nakamura for New York Daily News
Fans cheer along the victory parade to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team's 2019 FIFA World Cup Win in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![A girl holds up a sign that reads "Team USA...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
A girl holds up a sign that reads "Team USA You Inspire Me" during the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S. Women's National Team as they celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York.
![Fans celebrate during the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S....]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Fans celebrate during the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S. Women's National Team as they celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York.
![Fans celebrate during the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S....]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Fans celebrate during the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S. Women's National Team as they celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York.
![Fans celebrate during the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S....]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Fans celebrate during the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S. Women's National Team as they celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York.
![Forward Megan Rapinoe of the United States Women's National Team...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
Forward Megan Rapinoe of the United States Women's National Team strikes a pose while receiving the Keys of the City from Mayor Bill De Blasio and his wife Chirlane during a ceremony outside New York's City Hall on July 10, 2019.
![Mayor Bill de Blasio addresses the United States Women's National...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
Mayor Bill de Blasio addresses the United States Women's National Team and thousands outside New York's City Hall after a Ticker Tape Parade on July 10, 2019.
![A bus rolls along the Ticker Tape Parade on Broadway...]()
Jeff Bachner for New York Daily News
A bus rolls along the Ticker Tape Parade on Broadway to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team's 2019 FIFA World Cup win on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Young fans cheer on the U.S. Women's National Team during...]()
Go Nakamura for New York Daily News
Young fans cheer on the U.S. Women's National Team during a Ticker Tape Parade in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Megan Rapinoe and other members of the U.S. Women's National...]()
Go Nakamura for New York Daily News
Megan Rapinoe and other members of the U.S. Women's National Team cheer on a float during the Ticker Tape Parade in Manhattan to celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup win.
![Champagne rains down as fans cheer during the Ticker Tape...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Champagne rains down as fans cheer during the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S. Women's National Team as they celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York.
![Confetti rains down on members of the U.S. Women's National...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
Confetti rains down on members of the U.S. Women's National Team after receiving the Keys of the City from Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Megan Rapinoe speaks during the United States Women's National Team...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
Megan Rapinoe speaks during the United States Women's National Team celebration of their historic 2019 World Cup victory in France outside New York's City Hall after a ticket-tape parade on July 10, 2019.
![A woman holds up a sign during a Ticker Tape...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
A woman holds up a sign during a Ticker Tape Parade celebrating the U.S. Women's National Team's 2019 FIFA World Cup win in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Fans cheer along the victory parade to celebrate the U.S....]()
Go Nakamura for New York Daily News
Fans cheer along the victory parade to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team's 2019 FIFA World Cup Win in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![A fan poses in what's left of the Ticker Tape...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
A fan poses in what's left of the Ticker Tape Parade debris with a "One Nation One Team" sign to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team's 2019 FIFA World Cup win in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![NYPD officers stand guard during the Ticker Tape Parade for...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
NYPD officers stand guard during the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S. Women's National Team as they celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York.
![Fans celebrate during the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S....]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Fans celebrate during the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S. Women's National Team as they celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York.
![Ashlyn Harris and Megan Rapinoe celebrate their 2019 FIFA World...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Ashlyn Harris and Megan Rapinoe celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup win with a Ticker Tape Parade on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, along the Canyon of Heroes in Manhattan, New York.
![The U.S. Women's National Team's coach Jill Ellis waves to...]()
Go Nakamura for New York Daily News
The U.S. Women's National Team's coach Jill Ellis waves to the crowd from a float during a Ticker Tape Parade to celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup win in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Fans hold Equal Pay Signs during the United States Women's...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
Fans hold Equal Pay Signs during the United States Women's National Team's Ticker Tape Parade in New York City on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Fans wait for the start of the U.S. Women's National...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Fans wait for the start of the U.S. Women's National Team's Ticker Tape Parade to celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup win on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York.
![Fans cheer as the U.S. Women's National Team rides by...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Fans cheer as the U.S. Women's National Team rides by during the Ticker Tape Parade in Manhattan to celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup win on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Not much of the paper thrown from windows makes its...]()
Jeff Bachner for New York Daily News
Not much of the paper thrown from windows makes its way to the ground at the Ticker Tape Parade on Broadway for the victorious American women's soccer team on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![A fan holds up an art print of U.S. Women's...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
A fan holds up an art print of U.S. Women's Megan Rapinoe during a Ticker Tape Parade in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Forward Megan Rapinoe (C) leads the U.S. Women's National Team...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
Forward Megan Rapinoe (C) leads the U.S. Women's National Team in a dance on stage before receiving the Keys of the City from Mayor Bill De Blasio and his wife Chirlane outside City Hall on July 10, 2019.
![A girl holds up an Equal Pay sign during a...]()
Go Nakamura for New York Daily News
A girl holds up an Equal Pay sign during a Ticker Tape Parade in Manhattan to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team's 2019 FIFA World Cup win on July 10, 2019.
![Fan cheers along the Ticker Tape Parade route to celebrate...]()
Jeff Bachner for New York Daily News
Fan cheers along the Ticker Tape Parade route to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team's 2019 FIFA World Cup win in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Coach Jill Ellis and...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Coach Jill Ellis and Assistant Coach Jeremy Sullivan sit on stage in front of New York's City Hall on July 10, 2019.
![A young girl cheers during the victory parade to celebrate...]()
Go Nakamura for New York Daily News
A young girl cheers during the victory parade to celebrate U.S. Women's National Team's win at the 2019 FIFA World Cup in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Members of the U.S. Women's National Team pictured at the...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Members of the U.S. Women's National Team pictured at the start of the Ticker Tape Parade on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York, as the team celebrates their 2019 FIFA World Cup win.
![Fans wait for the start of the U.S. Women's National...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Fans wait for the start of the U.S. Women's National Team's Ticker Tape Parade to celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup win on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York.
![A woman holds up a sign that reads "The USWNT...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
A woman holds up a sign that reads "The USWNT made me gayer" during the U.S. Women's National Team celebration in New York City on July 10, 2019.
![Fans hold up signs and cheer during the Ticker Tape...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Fans hold up signs and cheer during the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S. Women's National Team as they celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York.
![A man sprays paper down on the Ticker Tape Parade...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
A man sprays paper down on the Ticker Tape Parade to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team's 2019 FIFA World Cup win in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Cleanup crews begin the process of cleaning the streets of...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Cleanup crews begin the process of cleaning the streets of Manhattan after the Ticker Tape Parade to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team's 2019 FIFA World Cup win on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![A woman holds up a sign that reads "Equal Pay...]()
Ennica Jacob/New York Daily News
A woman holds up a sign that reads "Equal Pay and that's the Tea" during a Ticker Tape Parade to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team's 2019 FIFA World Cup win on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![The U.S. Women's National Team stands for the National Anthem...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
The U.S. Women's National Team stands for the National Anthem during a celebration of their historic 2019 World Cup victory in France outside New York's City Hall after a ticket-tape parade on July 10, 2019.
![Megan Rapinoe pours champagne into Allie Long's mouth as teammate...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Megan Rapinoe pours champagne into Allie Long's mouth as teammate Alex Morgan looks on during a Ticker Tape Parade in Manhattan to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team's 2019 FIFA World Cup win on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Midfielder Sam Mewis of the United States Women's National Team...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
Midfielder Sam Mewis of the United States Women's National Team receives the Keys of the City from Mayor Bill De Blasio and his wife Chirlane during a ceremony outside New York's City Hall on July 10, 2019.
![Fans cheer along the victory parade to celebrate the U.S....]()
Go Nakamura for New York Daily News
Fans cheer along the victory parade to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team's 2019 FIFA World Cup Win in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![The U.S. Women's National Team dances as confetti falls down...]()
Ennica Jacob/New York Daily News
The U.S. Women's National Team dances as confetti falls down on them at City Hall in Manhattan following a Ticker Tape Parade to celebrate their win at the 2019 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Alex Morgan does her signature "Time for Tea" move before...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
Alex Morgan does her signature "Time for Tea" move before receiving the keys of the city from Mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife Chirlane during a celebration of the U.S. Women's National Team's historic 2019 World Cup victory in France outside New York's City Hall on July 10, 2019.
![(L-R) Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Coach Jill Ellis,...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
(L-R) Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Coach Jill Ellis, Assistant Coach Jeremy Sullivan and other members of the United States Women's National Team celebrate at New York's City Hall after a Ticker Tape Parade on July 10, 2019.
![Hudson Graybill, 11, wears a Rapinoe jersey and holds up...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
Hudson Graybill, 11, wears a Rapinoe jersey and holds up an American flag during the United States Women's National Team celebration in New York City on July 10, 2019.
![A little girl holds up a handmade sign that reads...]()
Ennica Jacob/New York Daily News
A little girl holds up a handmade sign that reads "USWNT, you make my future brighter!" following a Ticker Tape Parade in Manhattan to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team's 2019 FIFA World Cup win on July 10, 2019.
![Police walk along a float during the Ticker Tape Parade...]()
Jeff Bachner for New York Daily News
Police walk along a float during the Ticker Tape Parade on Broadway for the victorious American women's soccer team on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Paper falls from windows and roofs during the Ticker Tape...]()
Barry Williams for New York Daily News
Paper falls from windows and roofs during the Ticker Tape Parade for the U.S. Women's National Team as they celebrate their 2019 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York.
![First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray addressed the...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray addressed the United States Women's National team and thousands of views outside City Hall after a Ticker Tape Parade on July 10, 2019.
![An overhead look at the Ticker Tape Parade on Broadway...]()
Jeff Bachner for New York Daily News
An overhead look at the Ticker Tape Parade on Broadway for the victorious American women's soccer team on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Megan Rapinoe kisses her best player trophy during the United...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
Megan Rapinoe kisses her best player trophy during the United States Women's National team celebration of their historic 2019 World Cup victory in France outside New York's City Hall after a ticket-tape parade and ceremony where they received the Keys of the City from Mayor Bill De Blasio on July 10, 2019.
![Mayor Bill de Blasio and wife Chirlane ride on a...]()
Jeff Bachner for New York Daily News
Mayor Bill de Blasio and wife Chirlane ride on a float with the champions during the Ticker Tape Parade on Broadway for the victorious American women's soccer team on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Drummers perform at City Hall in Manhattan to celebrate the...]()
Ennica Jacob/New York Daily News
Drummers perform at City Hall in Manhattan to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team's 2019 FIFA World Cup win on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Forward Carli Lloyd of the United States Women's National Team...]()
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News
Forward Carli Lloyd of the United States Women's National Team receives the Keys of the City from Mayor Bill De Blasio and his wife Chirlane during a ceremony outside New York's City Hall on July 10, 2019.
![A motorcade rides along the Ticker Tape Parade to celebrate...]()
Go Nakamura for New York Daily News
A motorcade rides along the Ticker Tape Parade to celebrate the U.S. Women's National Team with Equal Pay signs in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
![Megan Rapinoe, left, and Allie Long celebrate with the FIFA...]()
Ennica Jacob / New York Daily News
Megan Rapinoe, left, and Allie Long celebrate with the FIFA World Cup trophy at City Hall in Manhattan following a Ticker Tape Parade on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
Soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe says she plans to retire at the end of the year.
The two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist took to social media Saturday to announce that the 2023 season would be her last.
“It is with a deep sense of peace and gratitude that I have decided this will be my final season playing this beautiful game,” the 38-year-old winger for Seattle’s OL Reign and the U.S. National Team wrote on Twitter.
“I never could have imagined the ways in which soccer would shape and change my life forever, but by the look on this little girl’s face, she knew all along,” she added, captioning a photo of a much younger Rapinoe.
Speaking with reporters in a news conference ahead of a Sunday game against Wales in San Jose, Calif, Rapinoe said she felt “so honored” to have represented the U.S. for “so many years.”
“It’s truly been the greatest thing I’ve ever done,” she said.
Besides a stellar and groundbreaking career in sports, Rapinoe has done extensive advocacy work for pay equity for women in sports, as well as LGBTQ rights.
The openly gay athlete announced her engagement to Seattle Storm WNBA superstar Sue Bird in October 2020, four years after the two started dating after meeting at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
In 2018, the powerful sports duo became the first same-sex couple to be featured on the cover of ESPN The Magazine’s annual Body Issue.
Rapinoe’s retirement announcement comes just days before Team USA gets ready to fight for its third consecutive World Cup victory.
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is set to kick off later this month, will be Rapinoe’s fourth — and last — tournament.
“Obviously there’ll be more to come further down the road after hopefully we get done what we want to get done,” she said Saturday, without going into any details about her future plans.
In 2019, after the team’s second consecutive World Cup title, Rapinoe brought parts of New York City to a standstill when she joined her teammates — and thousands of screaming fans — in a celebratory march through the confetti-drenched streets of downtown Manhattan.
In December of that year, Rapinoe — who has played for the U.S. national’s women team since 2006 — won the prestigious Ballon d’Or Féminin as the best player of the year.
