Achilles Tendon Ruptures on Retirement Day: U.S. Women’s Team Star’s Terrible Farewell

Megan Rapinoe didn’t get to say goodbye to football like she hoped. This Saturday, the iconic American player played her last match as a professional. I expected it to be a party. However, he had to leave the field of play due to an injury before 5 minutes of play. And not because of a simple illness: he claims to have cut his Achilles tendon.

At 3′ of the match, in an unfortunate game without contact with his rivals, he slipped and fell to the ground. Her OL Reign teammates had to continue without her on the field. They felt the brunt of the situation and ultimately were unable to retain the National Women’s Soccer League title when they lost to Gotham after a 1-2 defeat.

For the New Jersey team, this is its first title in this category. The heroine was the Spaniard Esther González, who scored the second goal for the winners. It is also a special championship, because Juan Carlos Amorós becomes the first Hispanic coach of the women’s league in the United States.

After the decisive match, Rapinoe seemed very upset by what she had experienced. “It’s definitely not how I imagined this last match. “I’m pretty sure I ruptured my Achilles tendon,” she told the CBS show.

“I’m proud of our team, obviously the girls gave everything. Likewise, Gotham fully deserved this trophy, they had a great year. From home, I just thank everyone who has been on this journey throughout this time. It’s been incredible. Maybe outside of that fence I wouldn’t have written it any differently. “I am very proud of my entire career and very grateful for everything it has given me,” she said.

At 38, Megan Rapinoe was looking to end her professional career. The famous Pinoe was a double world champion with the United States, won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2019 Ballon d’Or.

This year has been very emotional for the player. In September, he had already completed his long cycle with the American team. In 17 years, he played 203 matches and scored 63 goals.

His importance for sport in this North American country is such that in July 2022 he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden. Not only did she stand out on the playing field, but she was also an opponent of the Donald Trump government. He has emerged as one of the most vocal public figures in support of gender equality and LGBT+ rights.

Without hiding his opinions, he also stood up to FIFA when he disagreed with the governing body’s decisions. In 2019, he assured that they did not feel: “The same respect as the men of FIFA”. The player was triggered by the scheduling of the finals of two other tournaments, parallel to the global competition, at the same time as the final, which pitted the United States against the Netherlands. “It’s a World Cup!” declared the multiple champion.

When the businessman was president of the United States, Rapinoe publicly attacked his leadership and rejected the option of going to the White House for recognition. “There’s no chance we’ll be invited,” the 33-year-old footballer said. “I don’t know the voting habits of everyone on our team, but I hope no one voted for him,” he insisted.

A few days later, Trump decided to respond via Twitter. “Football player Megan Rapinoe just said she ‘won’t go to the White House’ if they win. Apart from the NBA, (…) all the leagues and all the teams like to come. I’m a huge fan of Team USA and women’s soccer, but Megan should WIN before she SPEAKS! Finish the job! » he published.

After winning the planetary title, the captain at the time confirmed her statements. “I would say his (Trump’s) message excludes people. He excludes me. This excludes people who look like me. “It excludes people of color,” the footballer said.