Ever thought a girl from the University of California would one day leave the entire soccer world in tears? Not us. Alex Morgan remains guilty as charged for doing so after the USWNT icon officially announced her retirement from the beautiful game. As the news of her shocking decision spreads around the town, her former coach Casey Stoney gave a heartwarming tribute while expressing her ‘pleasure‘ in working alongside Morgan.

Having been sacked by San Diego Waves just months ago, the 42-year-old took to Instagram and decided to write a heartfelt message for her former star disciple and skipper. Sharing a carousal of three pictures, she wrote a caption saying, “Captain. Leader. Legend!! The most professional athlete I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.”

“You drove everyone around you to be better and you challenged the status quo daily. Thank you for everything you have given our game!! Charlie and the new addition can be so proud of mom!! #ThankYou,” concluded Stoney.

Notably, both Alex and Casey have a good relationship with each other. Together, they lead the San Diego Wave to the 2023 NWSL Champions Cup triumph. Even beyond the pitch, the connection is strong. Morgan’s 4-year-old daughter Charlie is good friends with Stoney’s three kids—7-year-old twins Teddy and Tilly and 4-year-old Willow—which the former manager is raising with her significant other and ex-USWNT teammate, Megan Harris.

In fact, back when Harries paid a tribute to Stoney after she left the Waves, Morgan sent a message to her ex-coach saying, “Charlie will miss Teddy, Tilly, and Willow so much. Hope we all reconnect some point soon 🤍.” Perhaps now that the USWNT forward has finally decided to hang up her boots at the end of the season, she may take some time to have a reunion with Stoney and the kids; not to mention, Morgan is expecting another child.

Either way, this was quite a heartwarming message from Casey for her former player. Interestingly, Morgan also got some heartwarming tributes from her other teammates as well.

Aside from Casey Stoney, USWNT stars pay tribute to Alex Morgan!

After Alex Morgan’s announcement video broke the internet, the iconic forward’s US Women’s National Team teammates also jumped on the bandwagon to pay her tribute. Reposting the clip, USWNT skipper Lindsey Horan wrote, “Don’t think many people will ever understand the weight you carried with you every day being the face of this team and women’s football in general.”

Horan praised Morgan for bringing a radical transformation to the women’s side of the game, having enlightened millions of budding stars. Speaking of being an inspirational figure, youngster Trinity Rodman had a message for her idol. “No words… ur amazing thank you for paving the way for me and so many others ❤️🥺 love you,” wrote Dennis Rodman’s daughter.

Meanwhile, the rest of the ‘Thank you legend’ messages were sent by Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, Naomi Girma, and Korbin Albert. Even Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian thanked Morgan for inspiring him to launch NWSL team Angel City FC. Indeed, Alex has given a lot to soccer as the fraternity now pays the debt with their heartfelt messages.