2023 was hard on Megan Rapinoe. Forget her World Cup penalty miss that cost the USWNT. The iconic forward’s farewell match with her domestic side, OL Reign, was disappointing after she tore her Achilles in just six minutes. To add insult to injury, she lost the NWSL final against Gotham FC. Although, to this day, she is ‘sad‘ how her last match transpired, Rapinoe has taken a dig at ‘disingenuous‘ people who celebrated her injury. 

The shocking assertion was made on the latest episode of the ‘Pablo Torre Finds Out’ podcast, where the 2x World Champion was invited with her fiance, Sue Bird. Notably, as Torre asked her to express her views on getting injured in her career’s final game, she said, “It is sad like I wish that didn’t happen. I’m just thinking about my teammates coming over.” While acknowledging that such things happen in sports, Rapinoe insisted that ‘it is life‘ and not every story can have the perfect ending. Then, the 38-year-old made a bold claim. 

“I’m like a controversial figure and having people lowkey celebrate it but then also be so disingenuous about it. That part is kind of funny too. I’m like, ‘Wow, you guys are in a special place in hell that you’re celebrating this. I’m not going to that hell!'” she concluded while wiping her tears. Evidently, Rapinoe isn’t delighted that people enjoyed the fact that she got injured in her final game. 

Notably, just months ago, Rapinoe underwent successful surgery to repair her torn Achilles. She shared the good news with her 2.1 million Instagram followers and expressed her gratitude to Sue Bird, who provided care for her. Speaking of which, what was Bird’s reaction to Rapinoe’s injury?

Sue Bird was ‘bummed’ to see Megan Rapinoe unable to play her final match

Sue Bird narrated to Pablo Torre that she already noticed the ‘classic signs‘ of a torn Achilles that Megan Rapinoe displayed while sitting on the ground. Notably, Bird revealed that she even received a text from someone saying that Rapinoe actually had a knock on her knees. However, the former Seattle Storm star knew it was ‘a wrap‘ for Rapinoe. 

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While expressing her dismay at Megan’s knock, she said, “I was just really bummed knowing that you didn’t get to finish your final game in your final season.” Certainly, it must have been disheartening for Rapinoe not to receive a proper farewell. However, her overall career achievements are a testament to her status as a legend of the game.

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