Do you know how it goes with an athlete’s retirement games? Those last moments can be emotional, with tons of tears, cheers, and deep thoughts. It happened to Alex Morgan in her retirement game, but something more dramatic occurred. She missed her penalty. It may seem like a bittersweet ending for many. But for Morgan, it was nothing more than “so fitting,” a moment that summed up the complexity of her remarkable career.

In the recent episodes of A Touch More Podcast with Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, she expressed how she felt at that very moment. “It’s already written,” she said with a calm acceptance. Her journey was never about perfection, but that missed penalty summed up a career all about bouncing back, making a difference, and having a good viewpoint.

Despite having won two World Cups, an Olympic gold medal, and many other personal trophies, she did not let the pressure to end her career on a high note. “Making the penalty would be sweet,” she reflected, “but missing it doesn’t take away from this day.”

Throughout her career, Morgan had all her highs and lows. Injuries, losses, and many setbacks popped up. But honestly, each one just made her more determined. She even found a way to laugh about it all, pointing out that her retirement ended with a turnover. “Actually so fitting,” she joked, understanding that her mark on the game was more important than her mistakes in the bigger picture.

That impact extended far beyond her own generation of players. One of the most touching examples came from Maria Sanchez, a young girl who once waited as a fan to take a picture with Morgan and later ended up playing beside her. For Morgan, that moment was super special. “I was like feeling and digesting and processing it all in real time,” she admitted. She was still amazed by how her career had influenced those who looked up to her. The young girls who once saw her as an idol now see her as a teammate. And that’s a legacy few athletes can claim.

Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe’s advice to Alex Morgan on her post-retirement life

Notably, Morgan has a lot of things for women’s sports off the field. Her career was not just about goals and championships, it was about changing the game off the pitch as well. She declared, “I’m not going to be finished in soccer. I’m going to keep advocating for women’s sports,” indicating that she will continue to help grow women’s sports.

Likewise, Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe offered thoughtful advice to Alex Morgan about life after retirement. Megan, reflecting on her own experiences, emphasized the importance of taking time to celebrate. But she also acknowledged the complexities of retiring while balancing personal life events, like becoming a parent. She jokingly mentioned that while many people suggest grand retirement parties, her situation requires adjusting to those plans because of her pregnancy. All in all, Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe want her to embrace her retirement. 

As Alex Morgan steps into this new phase, her legacy is not just about the trophies or medals she’s won. But, it is also about the barriers she’s broken down. At the end of the day, what her legacy will be defined by is not a missed penalty. She has redefined what it means to leave a mark in this world.