The world cannot talk about women’s soccer without talking about Alex Morgan. The legendary soccer player has announced her retirement in an emotional video. After long 15 years of capturing the hearts of fans, she is finally all set to hang up her boots. But the world will see her on the pitch one last time! Alex Morgan will say her final goodbye this Sunday when she plays against the North Carolina Courage. The match will mark the end of her 123-goal career. The US team will surely feel a void with her departure.

The outpouring of love and emotion for Alex Morgan has been nothing short of heart-wrenching. Teammates and celebrities alike have flooded social media with messages that tug at the heartstrings, as the reality of her departure begins to sink in. Sophia Smith, her teammate, captured the collective sadness with a simple yet deeply touching note: “Thank you for everything. Love you.” Mallory Pugh, who shared the field with Morgan since her own debut in 2016, echoed the sentiment: “Thank you for all that you’ve done for this game. Love you.”

Naomi Girma, who stood beside Morgan during their recent FIFA Women’s World Cup run, expressed a deep sense of loss: “A legend of the game in every way. I’m going to miss you so much, all love.” And across social media, the reactions were equally emotional. Korbin Albert’s tribute on X summed up what so many are feeling: “Thank you, Alex Morgan … a legend never to be forgotten. ❤️ #ThankYouAlex.”

Alex Morgan’s influence stretches beyond the soccer field. Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, shared his personal gratitude: “ICON: @alexmorgan13, I know the sky is the limit for you, and you’re going to continue achieving greatness for football and beyond. You’re the reason I got into women’s soccer, and your reply led me to fund and launch @weareangelcity. For that, I’ll always be grateful. Can’t wait to see what’s next.” These heartfelt messages speak volumes. First, Alex Morgan is, without question, a towering figure in women’s soccer—a legend whose name will be spoken with reverence for years to come. And second, her absence will be felt deeply, both on and off the pitch. So what exactly prompted this retirement?

Why did Alex Morgan retire?

As Alex Morgan retires, her journey has been one that is worth looking back at. Her journey started back in 2009 when she first joined the U.S. Women’s National Team. Since then, her rise has been historic. And now her heartfelt goodbye is gut-wrenching and beautiful, but nothing short of historic. In her emotional retirement video, she went on to say, “I grew up on this team; it was so much more than soccer. It was the friendships, the unwavering respect, and the relentless push for global investment in women’s sports.” Alex also announced that she is expecting her second child.

Alex’s retirement is a sad one but it is also the celebration and end of a great legacy. Alex Morgan has a series of wins that will be remembered. She holds two FIFA Women’s World Cup titles (2015 and 2019). She also holds an Olympic Gold Medal (2012), an Olympic Bronze Medal (2020), and a CONCACAF W Gold Cup (2024). On the pitch, she was quite literally a game-changer for the US. The U.S. Women’s National Team almost never lost a match when she scored. With her the team has a total of 76 wins out of 86 times.

Alex Morgan’s club career is an equally iconic one. Alex has played with several NWSL teams including the San Diego Wave, Portland Thorns, and Orlando Pride, and in Europe with Lyon and Tottenham. With over 90 goals in 212 appearances and six trophies to her name, her impact on the field is ineffable. As Alex herself reflects, “I learned so much about myself in that time and so much of that is a credit to my teammates and our fans. I feel immense pride in where this team is headed, and I will forever be a fan of the USWNT.” 

Alex also went on to add, “My desire for success may have always driven me, but what I got in return was more than I could have ever asked and hoped for.” The world is saying goodbye to more than a player; they’re saying farewell to an icon, a trailblazer, and a beloved figure who changed the game forever. As she steps away from the limelight, her name will echo across generations to come.