The American soccer player Megan Rapinoewho will retire this Sunday from his country’s national team in a friendly in Chicago, assured on Saturday that he will leave football in a “better place” than where he found it and stressed that he will make the most of the time available to be part of. of business growth” of all women’s sports.
He made this in a press conference organized at the headquarters of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) in Chicago, on the eve of the friendly match that the American team will play this Sunday against South Africa at the Soldier Field stadium.
“I’m excited to continue to be a part of the growth of women’s sports. We’re in a special moment, I think I know how to talk about women’s sports. I hope to be a part of the growth of the business and marketing of women’s sports. I want to use my platform, because I have done it now, but now I will have more time to do it,” said Rapinoe.
The American forward was the star of a golden era for her country’s team, winning Olympic gold in London 2012 and winning two consecutive World Cups, in 2015 and 2019. However, Rapinoe is more than just a player soccer and one of the most respected voices in the fight for gender equality and social rights.
“Right now, I’m proud of what we did off the field. I’m just thinking about how the project grew, how we pushed the federation to grow. We were an important part of talking about gay and trans rights, we were a vehicle of this and we believe in it. We understand what it means to not sacrifice who you are,” he said. “Obviously I’m also proud of what we did on the field. We tried to make the world a better place and we tried to leave football in a better place than where we found it,” he added.
Rapinoe said she realized early on the opportunity that being a famous soccer player offered her to send deeper messages than sports ones. “I’m looking forward to having a little more open schedule. At the same time I’m a little worried. I hope I have more time for myself, spend it with my friends and family, travel a little more, rest . I’m looking forward to allowing myself to rest a little more. “I know it’s the end of a chapter but it’s like a new beginning. I’m happy to see how women’s football will evolve, I hope to continue to be a part of it,” she said.
Without remorse and self-peace
Throughout the press conference, Rapinoe stressed that she will leave football without “regrets”, but in “peace” because she clearly gave it her all. “I don’t know if I have regrets, that doesn’t mean I didn’t make mistakes. But I feel I got the most out of my career, I did my best, I made the most of my talent. I had a lot fun, I celebrated along the way, that’s why “I feel at peace. I did everything the way I wanted to do it and I got the most out of my career,” he said.
He admits that he has a special memory of the Olympic gold won in London 2012, as it was his first major international success. And she sent a message to young women who dream of becoming professional soccer players. “You have to find your way, you have a platform to express yourself, you can talk about what is important to you. No part of yourself is worth hiding. It’s up to you, it’s your career, it’s your talent, enjoy the career “Do it the way you want to do it,” he said.
An enviable career
Born in Redding (California) in 1985, with her talent and social commitment she is one of the great leaders of the change women’s soccer has experienced in recent years.
During his fourteen year career he played in the United States, Australia and Europe and his fight for equality on and off the field helped promote the development of the current American professional league, the NWSL , where he plays for OL Reign.
He will permanently retire from football at the end of the NWSL, with the regular season ending on October 15. The Reign are currently in the playoffs, so they will be next in the postseason. His social work was awarded in 2022 the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian distinction in the United States.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
