Megan Rapinoe stayed true to form in her final match as a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team.
Rapinoe, the 38-year-old captain of the squad, did not sing the national anthem before Sunday’s match vs. South Africa at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill.
Rapinoe stopped singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 2016 as a “peaceful protest” of inequality and injustice in the U.S., according to Yahoo Sports.
Rapinoe previously said Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel before the anthem served as one of her inspirations.
The national anthem on Sunday was preceded by a ceremony to honor the USWNT star in her final international appearance.
Surrounded by family and fiancée, retired WNBA Star Sue Bird, Rapinoe was presented a framed jersey representing her 203 games with the U.S.
Rapinoe went out in style, with her corner kick in the 49th minute setting up an Emily Sonnett goal to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead.
Five minutes later, Rapinoe was subbed out and walked off the field for the last time as a member of Team USA, embracing her coaches and teammates.
After the match, there was a video tribute to Rapinoe, who addressed the crowd.
“I know that I am a liked player,” she said. “And I know that I mean a lot to the game. But to have this night come and to actually feel it and see it — from my teammates, from our staff and certainly from the fans, who have been such a huge part of our success on and off the field, really — it was very special.”
Herr achievements on the pitch leave her with a trophy case larger than many athletes could fathom.
She took home a gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012 and won two World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019.
After scoring six goals during the 2019 World Cup in France, Rapinoe won the Ballon d’Or Féminin and The Best Women’s FIFA Award.
Rapinoe, who came out publicly in 2012, is outspoken about LGBTQ issues, including transgender rights.
She also led the movement for the USWNT, based on its accomplishments at the Olympics and World Cup, to achieve equal pay when compared to that of the U.S. Men’s National Team, which has enjoyed far less success over the years.
In 2022, she was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Joe Biden.
Rapinoe was the first soccer player to be awarded the country’s highest civilian honor.
Rapinoe still has a few more regular-season games for OL Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League, including a send-off match for local fans in Seattle on Oct. 6, before her career comes to an end.
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