Megan Rapinoe Tears Up After Playing Final Game with USWNT: 'It's Been Such an Honor'

"I feel like I've been able to grow up in front of all of you," Rapinoe told cheering fans in Chicago

Megan Rapinoe gave a teary goodbye to international soccer.

Following a 2-0 win against South Africa — her final game with the U.S. Women's National Team — the legendary forward hung up her international cleats for good on Sunday.

After the game, Rapinoe, 38, bid the USWNT farewell in an emotional press conference at Soldier Field in Chicago.

"I just want to say thank you. I feel like I've been able to grow up in front of all of you," Rapinoe told cheering fans from the soccer field. "Obviously, we're here in Chicago, but there are so many fans around the country and around the world. When I think about what it means to me to represent not only this team, but our country — it's just that. We're just a little snapshot of all of you."

"It has been such an honor to be able to wear this shirt and play with all these amazing players, and to just live out my childhood dream," Rapinoe added, tearing up in front of her teammates. “We have fought so hard on the field, had so much fun, been so successful. We fought so hard off the field to continue to create more space for ourselves to be who we are, but hopefully in turn more space for you guys to be who you are.”

Related: Everything to Know About Megan Rapinoe, the U.S. Women's National Team's Star Forward

Rapinoe still has games to play with her NWSL team, the OL Reign, but her fall is full of lasts. Last week, she and her OL Reign played against Portland Thorns FC, in the city that acted as a springboard for her soccer career.

The former University of Portland Pilot drew rousing applause when she left the field for the final time in the 84th minute, per Goal.com. The Portland Thorns went on to beat OL Reign 2-0.

While discussing the full-circle match in a post-game press conference, Rapinoe said, “I have to go quick, or I am going to start crying. It's obviously happy too, it's obviously sad.”

“I've been trying to impress people in Portland since I was 18,” she continued. “So you know, to play college here and have so many amazing memories. You know, even the rivalry. These are always the very best games. So even when you're on the losing end, like tonight, this really sucks but it's always really special playing here, obviously.”

Related: Megan Rapinoe Says Goodbye to USWNT in Farewell Post After World Cup Loss: ‘It Has Been My Honor’

The USWNT star, who has been a member of the team since 2006, first broke the news of her retirement at a pre-game press conference in July.

“This is going to be my last season, my last World Cup and my last NWSL season,” she told reporters. “Obviously, there will be more to come further down the road after hopefully we get done what we want to get done.”

She continued, “I could have just never imagined where this beautiful game would’ve taken me. I feel so honored to be able to have represented this country and this federation for so many years. It’s truly been the greatest thing that I’ve ever done.”

Rapinoe went on to say that she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her fiancée, retired WNBA player Sue Bird, by announcing her retirement before her final season — although she admitted it “feels weird.”

She also expressed gratitude for being able to go out on her own terms, which she said is “incredibly rare for athletes of any stature.”

Related: Megan Rapinoe Explains Her Laugh After Missing Penalty Kick in USWNT's World Cup Loss: 'Like a Sick Joke'

Rapinoe also shared an official statement regarding her retirement with U.S. Soccer.

“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,” she wrote. “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."

She continued, "I want to thank my family for being by my side all these years. Thanks to all my teammates 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 U.S. Soccer, the Seattle Reign and especially Sue, 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."

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During her soccer career, Rapinoe helped the USWNT earn two Women's World Cup titles — beating Canada in 2015 and France in 2019 — and represented Team USA in the Olympic Games three times, helping to bring home a gold medal in 2012 and a bronze medal in 2020.

The legendary player has also made a name for herself outside of sports.

Off the field, Rapinoe is best known for her social justice efforts, which include advocating for LGBTQ rights and working to eliminate the gender pay gap. She also brought her activism on the field by kneeling in protest against police brutality.

In 2019, she was Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year and last year, she became the first-ever soccer player to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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