WOMEN'S WORLD CUP
Watch: USWNT O’Hara gets emotional talking about Rapinoe
Megan Rapinoe announced her retirement from professional soccer and teammate Kelley O’Hara reflects on her career and how she is as a person.
Megan Rapinoe has had an incredible career - from her success on the field, winning two World Cups, the Golden Boot, the Golden Ball, and the Ballon D’Or, to her success off the field, standing up for the rights of the repressed and fighting for and achieving equal pay for female players. Just 10 days ago, she announced her retirement from professional soccer at 38 years old, but she has one more World Cup to play first.
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Rapinoe’s teammates all attest to how wonderful of a person she is and it’s clear that her absence on the team will be greatly felt, but her impact was also great.
“It’s hard to put into words, honestly,” said teammate Kelley O’Hara. “I know that the world sees the Megan Rapinoe that the world sees, but we get to see her up close and personal. And obviously, the Pinoe that the world sees is an incredible person and human, and that is her also up close and personal.”
Though her role may be different in her last World Cup run, Rapinoe is still a clutch player and her career isn’t finished quite yet. The impact she’s made on her teammates and on the world, however, will last forever.
“She brings a sense of humor and lightness, but intensity and empathy, and just...she is one of a kind,” said O’Hara, beginning to tear up. “There’s never been one like her. There’s probably never going to be one close to her. So it’s sad to think about this being her last, but she’s done such incredible things for this team and for the world.”
“To be able to see the up close and personal Pinoe and be close to that has been really special, and I hope that we all send her out on a high.”
The Women’s World Cup begins this Thursday, July 20 with the USWNT playing their first game on Friday, July 21 at 9 p.m. for Group E against Vietnam.