In a heartbreaking end to an illustrious career, women's soccer icon Megan Rapinoe faced a devastating injury in her final match - an injury that led to a candid reflection on faith.
On Saturday night, the US soccer star, aged 38, suffered an achilles injury during her last-ever game, prompting her to declare in a post-game interview: "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."
Rapinoe's team, OL Reign, ultimately fell 2-1 to Gotham FC on Saturday night, a loss that was felt more acutely after Rapinoe's departure from the game in just the third minute due to her injury. The injury forced her team to make a substitution during the sixth minute at Snapdragon Stadium.
In the post-match press conference, she told reporters that she "for sure" tore her achilles - describing the moment she felt a "huge pop".
The OL Reign winger said that her early exit was "the worst possible outcome" for the final game of her decorated professional career, per ESPN.
Ironically, she then added: "I just thank God I have like a f***ing deep well of sense of humor. But yeah, I mean, 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," she said.
The game took a turn after Rapinoe's exit and Bethany Balcer's entry, with OL Reign struggling to secure a late equalizer. This was especially so after Gotham goalkeeper Mandy Haught received a red card during injury time. Meanwhile, Rapinoe's former teammate, Ali Krieger, was also concluding her career in this match. The pair shared a moment when Krieger embraced Rapinoe after the latter's first-half injury.
"Obviously, so happy for her. So happy for her to be able to go out like this on an incredible career," Rapinoe expressed about Krieger's win with Gotham, humorously adding that her injury "gave" Krieger the championship.
Addressing concerns about the Snapdragon Stadium's field conditions, which have been under scrutiny for issues like divots and fading logos, Rapinoe dismissed the idea that the pitch contributed to her injury. "I wish, right? No, I don't think so," she remarked. "These things are -- they just sort of happen, happened how they happen."
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Rapinoe's indomitable spirit was evident in her response to the situation. Known for her sharp wit and openness, she brought a touch of dark humor and self-reflection to her comments. "I wasn't overly emotional about it," she said. "I mean, f***ing yeeted my achilles in the sixth minute in my last game ever in the literal championship game."
Continuing in her typical humorous fashion, she joked, "I guess I just rode until the wheels came right off! Now I'm just a NARP, a normal-a** regular person, having to do rehab which is f***ing devastating."
Rapinoe retired from the US women's national team after her 203rd appearance over the summer.
Despite no longer being on the pitch, she says that she's "looking forward to retirement" and that fans will still be seeing "a lot" of her off the field.
