US legend Alex Morgan, one of the most celebrated players in the history of women’s football, announced her retirement from professional soccer. The 35-year-old star, who has represented the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) in over 220 appearances, is also expecting her second child. Morgan’s final match will take place on Sunday when her San Diego Wave team faces off against the North Carolina Courage in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
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Morgan, a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist, has been a pivotal figure in women’s football for over a decade. With 123 international goals in her storied career, she ranks amongst the greatest goalscorers in U.S. football history. “I’m going to get to the point quickly. I’m retiring and I have so much clarity about this decision and I’m so happy to be able to finally tell you,” Morgan revealed in a video on X on Thursday.
“It has been a long time coming and this decision wasn’t easy but at the beginning of 2024 I felt in my heart and soul that this was the last season that I would play football. “Soccer has been a part of me for 30 years and it was one of the first things that I ever loved and I gave everything to this sport and what I got in return was more than I could have ever dreamed of. Success for me is defined by never giving up and giving your all and I did just that.
“I’m giving my all every single day on the field and I did that. Giving my all in the relentless push for global investment in women’s sports because we deserve that. Giving my all in my various businesses beyond the soccer fields and giving my all as a mom to my daughter Charlie.
“Charlie came up to me the other day and said that when she grows up she wants to be a soccer player and it just made me like immensely proud not because I wish for her to become a soccer player when she grows up but because a pathway exists that even a four year old can see now.”
Morgan also announced she is expecting her second child, adding: “This is also not the retirement video I expected when I initially thought I was going to do this because Charlie is going to be a big sister. I am pregnant and as unexpected as this came we are so