Alex Morgan: American icon to retire, announces pregnancy - 'Soccer has been a part of me for 30 years'
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Published 05/09/2024 at 18:32 GMT+1
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Alex Morgan will play her final professional football match this Sunday, the American striker announced on Thursday. In an emotionally-charged social media clip, the two-time World Cup winner was thrilled with the growth she has witnessed in the women's game over her glittering 15-year career. The former Tottenham and Lyon striker also confirmed she was pregnant with her second child.
'I gave everything to this sport' - Morgan calls time on legendary career, announces pregnancy
Video credit: SNTV
Iconic American striker Alex Morgan has officially announced her retirement from professional football at the age of 35.
In an emotional social media video, the San Diego Wave attacker confirmed that she would play her final match this Sunday, at home to North Carolina Courage.
The two-time World Cup winner also revealed she was pregnant with her second child, four years after giving birth to her daughter Charlie.
Morgan was unequivocal in her decision, saying that she was aware of her impending withdrawal from the sport as early as the start of this calendar year.
“I’m going to get to the point quickly: I’m retiring, and I have so much clarity about this decision and I’m so happy to be able to finally tell you,” said Morgan in a five-minute clip posted to social media.
“It has been a long time coming and 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.
“Soccer has been a part of me for 30 years and it was one of the first things that I ever loved, and I gave everything to this sport, and what I got in return was more than I could have ever dreamed of.
“Success for me is defined by never giving up and giving your all, and I did just that. I’m giving my all every single day on the field and I did that in the relentless push for global investment in women’s sports, because we deserve that.”
The former Lyon, Tottenham and Orlando Pride forward racked up a staggering 224 caps for her country, scoring 123 goals on the way to two World Cup wins, three CONCACAF Championships and an Olympic gold medal.
And for her club sides, Morgan picked up three league titles in America and France, as well as a UEFA Women’s Champions League winner’s medal with Lyon.
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Video credit: SNTV
Having spurred the growth of women’s sport, Morgan was delighted with the influence it was having on her daughter Charlie and announced she was once again pregnant with husband and former Orlando City midfielder Servando Carrasco.
Morgan said: “Charlie came up to me the other day and said that when she grows up, she wants to be a soccer player and it just made me immensely proud, not because I wish for her to become a soccer player when she grows up, but because a pathway exists that even a four-year-old can see.
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“Now we’re changing lives and the impact we have on the next generation is irreversible, and I’m proud in the hand I had in making that happen, in pushing the game forward and leaving it in a place that I’m so happy and proud of.
“This is also not the retirement video I expected when I initially thought I was going to do this, because Charlie is going to be a big sister.
“I am pregnant, and as unexpected as this came, we are so overjoyed. To me, family means everything.
“I wouldn’t be here without my husband and my family uplifting and motivating and encouraging and supporting me and sacrificing for me for the last 15 years as a professional athlete.”
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Alex Morgan Getty Images
Image credit: Getty Images
Morgan will have one last chance to wave goodbye to the fans when her San Diego side welcome fifth-place North Carolina Courage this weekend.
“I’m also grateful that I’ll get one last game to put on the boots and this Sunday, September 8, will be that game,” said Morgan.
“I just want to thank the fans for always supporting us, for always using what we’re saying and making it magnified, being there, showing up day in and day out, supporting not only the teams that I’ve played for, but the player and the human that I am as well.
“I also need to thank my team behind the scenes, teammates, coaches, staff, everyone who has played a part in my career has played some part that has made me where I am today and who I am today.
“I am so shaped into me because of you, because of soccer and I am forever grateful. I cannot wait to celebrate with you one last game. It’s been a ride.”
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