Megan Rapinoe Suffers Injury in Final Match of Her Career
US soccer star Megan Rapinoe did her best to laugh off an injury she suffered in the final match of her career on Saturday.
Rapinoe’s Achilles Injury
Rapinoe went down in the sixth minute as OL Reign lost to Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League Championship on Saturday night. Rapinoe said she believed she tore her Achilles.
The “Aaron Rodgers Treatment”
In the post-match press conference, Rapinoe mentioned that she was going to seek the “Aaron Rodgers treatment” to aid her recovery. She expressed her intention to reach out to him or the surgeon who performed his surgery.
“I’m not a religious person or anything, and if there was a God, like, this is proof that there isn’t,” Rapinoe said. “This is messed up. It’s just messed up. Six minutes in and I tear my Achilles.”
An Unexpected Injury
Rapinoe sustained a non-contact injury while attempting to make a defensive play. She was immediately attended to by medical staff, bringing an abrupt end to her night and career.
Before leaving the field, Rapinoe shared an emotional hug with her former USWNT teammate Ali Krieger, who plays for Gotham FC and was also participating in her final professional game.
“Everyone is always like, ‘Who kicked me?’ And obviously, no one was even around me, and I was pressing,” Rapinoe described the injury. “That’s what it felt like. Just a huge pop, and I can’t even feel where the Achilles is, but I’m pretty sure I tore it. The worst possible outcome.”
“Thank God I have a deep well of a sense of humor. It’s devastating to go out in a final so early,” Rapinoe added.
Rapinoe’s Career Summary
Rapinoe concluded her career with the Reign, scoring four goals and providing five assists in 15 matches during the 2023 season. She exclusively played for the Reign in the NWSL.