“I gave everything to this sport, and what I got in return was more than I could have ever dreamed of,” Alex Morgan says.
An era has come to an end after Alex Morgan announced her retirement from professional Soccer on Thursday. The two-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist achieved many rewards for the country and team in her 15-year career.
Alex Morgan was one of the most busy players in sports. She not only won hearts on the field, but her efforts for equal pay, etc., made her popular off the field as well.
While the actual reason for her retirement is unknown, pregnancy may be a factor. However, she is not becoming a mom for the first time. Her dedication to sports and equality will always be praised.
Alex Morgan announcement
The professional soccer player announced her decision in a heartfelt social media post: “This decision wasn’t easy, but at the beginning of 2024, I felt in my heart and soul that this was the last season that I would play soccer.”
Morgan highlighted the importance of Soccer in her life, “Soccer has been a part of me for 30 years, and it was one of the first things that I ever loved. I gave everything to this sport, and what I got in return was more than I could have ever dreamed of.”
However, this is not the complete end of her professional journey. Morgan will play her final match with her club team, the San Diego Wave of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Alex Morgan Achievements
International Achievements with the USWNT (United States Women’s National Team)
- FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion (2015, 2019): Morgan played a important role in helping the USWNT win the World Cup twice. In 2019, she was one of the team’s top scorers.
- Olympic Gold Medalist (2012): Morgan contributed significantly to the USWNT’s victory at the 2012 London Olympics. She scored a crucial goal in the semi-final against Canada.
- Olympic Bronze Medalist (2021): Morgan helped the team win a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
- CONCACAF Women’s Championship Titles (2014, 2018, 2022): Morgan was instrumental in securing multiple titles for the US in the CONCACAF Championship.
- US Soccer Female Athlete of the Year (2012, 2018): Morgan was awarded this prestigious title for her stellar performances in key international competitions.
Club Achievements
- NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) Champion (2013): With the Portland Thorns, Morgan won the NWSL title in the league’s inaugural season.
- UEFA Women’s Champions League Runner-Up (2017): While playing for Olympique Lyonnais, Morgan reached the Champions League final. Won the domestic league but missed the Champions League final due to injury.
Individual Accolades
- FIFA FIFPro Women’s World XI (2016, 2017, 2019, 2021): Morgan has been recognized multiple times as one of the world’s best players.
- FIFA Women’s World Cup Silver Boot (2019): Morgan finished as the second-highest scorer in the 2019 World Cup with six goals.
- ESPY Best Female Athlete (2019): She received this prestigious award following her outstanding performances in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Other Notable Achievements
- 100 International Goals: Morgan reached 100 international goals in 2019, joining an elite group of USWNT players.
In addition to her on-field success, Morgan has been an advocate for gender equality and women’s rights in sports. She fought for equal pay alongside her USWNT teammates.
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