Rapinoe to retire at end of 2023 NWSL season

Megan Rapinoe has announced she will retire at the conclusion of the 2023 NWSL season.

The OL Reign forward is currently preparing to compete for the USA - the two-time defending champions - at the Women's World Cup, which starts this month in Australia and New Zealand.

Rapinoe wrote on Twitter: "I've been able to have such an incredible career, and this game has brought me all over the world and allowed me to meet so many amazing people.

"I feel incredibly grateful to have played as long as I have, to be as successful as we've been and to have been a part of a generation of players who undoubtedly left the game better than they found it.

"To be able to play one last World Cup and one last NWSL season and go out on my own terms is incredibly special.

"I want to thank my family for being by my side all these years. Thanks to all my team-mates and coaches all the way back to my first days in Redding, on to college at the University of Portland and of course thanks to US Soccer, the Seattle Reign and especially Sue [Bird, Rapinoe’s partner] for everything.

"I will forever cherish the friendships and support over the years in this game and I am beyond excited for one last ride with the national team and the Reign."