Megan Rapinoe suffers injury just three minutes into final match of her career

Megan Rapinoe was left devastated after her career swansong came to an early end as she limped out of the National Women’s Soccer League final.

The 38-year-old suffered a suspected ruptured Achilles in just the third minute of the season-decider in San Diego and then had to watch her side OL Reign lose 2-1 to NJ/NY Gotham FC.

Rapinoe won two World Cups and an Olympic gold medal in a brilliant 203-cap career for the United States, but the defeat means she ends her domestic stint without an NWSL title.

“Thank you to everyone who’s been on the journey for all this time.”@mrapinoe‘s final words after the #NWSLChampionship. pic.twitter.com/3dAAX287Nr

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) November 12, 2023

She admitted that it was the “worst possible outcome” to her finale.

“It felt like just a huge pop,” Rapinoe told ESPN.

“The worst possible outcome. I just thank god I have like a f****** deep well of sense of humour. But just obviously devastating to go out in the final so early.

“That’s life, it’s part of the game. I was feeling really good before the game, wasn’t feeling tight or wasn’t having calf issues or anything. You don’t always get to have the perfect ending.

We love you, Pinoe pic.twitter.com/W9hwe5vJuF

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 12, 2023

“I feel so lucky and so grateful to have played as long as I’ve played and to have played with the incredible players that I’ve played (with).

“Every sort of new cycle that I’ve come with, I’ve gotten close to certain players and built relationships and played with some of the very best players in the world.

“I’m looking forward to retirement. I’m retiring on the field, but you’ll definitely be seeing a lot of me off of it.”