On Sept. 5, American soccer star Alex Morgan took to Instagram to make an emotional statement. “I’m going to get to the point quickly,” Morgan began her announcement.
“I’m retiring and I have so much clarity about this decision,” Morgan continued. “It’s been a longtime coming and this decision wasn’t easy.”
However, Morgan revealed that at the beginning of 2024, she knew in her heart that this year would be her last year playing the sport she loves.
“Soccer’s been a part of me for 30 years,” Morgan told her fans. “It was one of the first things that I ever loved.”
Now, Morgan, 35, will go down in the history books as one of the greatest to ever play women’s soccer. From 2018 to 202, she was a co-captain for the United States Women’s National team after becoming a member of the team in 2010.
During her 14-year career with the national team, Morgan scored a total 123 goals. She won two Olympic medals and has won two world cups.
Today, Morgan is a wife and a mom to their 4-year-old daughter, Charlie.
“I gave everything to this sport,” Morgan continued. “And what I got in return is more than anything I could have ever dreamed of.”
“Success for me is defined by never giving up and giving your all,” Morgan said in her statement after being left off the Olympic team this year. “And I did just that.”
At the end, Morgan announced she is pregnant with her second child. “As unexpected as this came, we are so overjoyed.”