Women’s soccer legend Megan Rapinoe didn’t quite have the farewell she wanted. After nearly two decades of professional soccer, Rapinoe featured in the final game of her career. It could have been a fitting farewell to her, as she played in the NWSL final against the NJ/NY Gotham FC. However, as fate would have had it, Rapinoe’s final game ended rather prematurely.
Megan Rapinoe‘s OL Reign faced the NJ/NY Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) final. The highly decorated Rapinoe could have signed off her professional soccer career by winning a title in her final match. However, just three minutes into the final, Rapinoe suffered a torn Achilles injury. Moreover, Rapinoe wasn’t even fouled by any played as it was a non-contact injury.
🗣️ Megan Rapinoe after she was injured 3 minutes into the final match of her career:
“I’m not a religious person or anything and if there was a God, this is proof that there isn’t. This is f***ed up.” 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/St1sRb70yk
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) November 13, 2023
A teary-eyed Rapinoe left field hobbling with the help of the team officials and medical staff. Speaking in the press conference after the match, Rapinoe spoke about her injury. She said, “I’m not a religious person or anything and if there was a god, like, this is proof that there isn’t.” The former Sydney FC star admitted that it was devastating to be injured in the final match of her career which her side eventually lost 2-1.
Although Rapinoe’s comments about God appear to have hurt the fans’ religious beliefs and sentiments. Several fans have reacted to the former USWNT star’s comments on social media platforms with one user even writing, “Don’t bring God into it. This is called Karma. What goes around comes around.” While Rapinoe has always remained a controversial figure, she wouldn’t probably have liked to end her career with the fans against her.
Megan Rapinoe’s religion and ethnicity
Despite her comments about not being a religious person, Megan Rapinoe reportedly identifies as a Christian. However, the 38-year-old soccer star is welcoming of religions, just like her views on peoples’ se*ual orientation. Throughout her career, Rapinoe has been a huge LGBTQIA+ rights advocate and has championed the fight for the inclusion of transgender people in sports.
Meanwhile, Megan Rapinoe has mixed ethnic roots. While the Olympique Lyonnais star is an American citizen by birth, she shares her ethnic roots with Italy and Ireland. Rapinoe’s paternal grandfather, Jack, who has even served in the army, is of Italian descent. On the other hand, Rapinoe’s mother, Denise, is of Irish descent.
As Rapinoe played the final game of her career, she will undoubtedly go down as one of the most decorated women’s soccer stars of all time. Rapinoe has twice won the FIFA Women’s World Cup and an Olympic gold medal. She has also won the Coupe de France Féminine and the Division 1 Féminine with Lyon. Lastly, she has won The Best FIFA Women’s Player, the World Cup Golden Ball and Golden Boot, and the Ballon d’Or once.