Megan Rapinoe

Megan Rapinoe is an American former professional soccer player and one of the most prominent figures in women's sport. A longtime member of the United States women's national team, she won multiple World Cup and Olympic honors and became widely known both for her play as a winger and for her activism on issues including equal pay and LGBTQ rights.

Early life

Rapinoe was born in 1985 in Redding, California, and grew up with her twin sister, who also played soccer at a high level. She developed her game through youth and club soccer in California before playing college soccer at the University of Portland, where she was part of a national championship-winning team and established herself as a leading collegiate player despite setbacks from serious knee injuries.

Career

Rapinoe joined the United States women's national team in the mid-2000s and became a key contributor over more than a decade. She played at multiple World Cups and Olympic Games, contributing to the U.S. team's gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics and to World Cup success. A memorable long pass to teammate Abby Wambach in the 2011 World Cup became one of the tournament's defining moments.

She was a central figure in the United States' victories at the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cups. At the 2019 tournament she was both the leading scorer and named the best player, and that year she received the Ballon d'Or Feminin and was widely recognized as one of the world's best players. At club level she played for teams in the United States and abroad, including a spell in France, and spent much of her domestic career with OL Reign in the National Women's Soccer League.

Recent work

Rapinoe became a leading voice in the campaign for equal pay in soccer, joining other players in legal action and public advocacy that helped bring attention to disparities between the men's and women's programs; the dispute was ultimately resolved through agreements aimed at equalizing pay. She has also been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights and other social causes, using her platform to speak on questions of equality.

She announced her retirement from professional soccer, concluding her playing career after the 2023 season. In recognition of her broader influence, she received national honors for her contributions to sport and activism. Since retiring, Rapinoe has remained a public figure through media work, advocacy, and business ventures, and she is regarded as one of the most influential athletes of her generation in women's soccer.