“I’m disappointed,” remarked a sad Alex Morgan after failing to get her way into Emma Hayes’ Paris Olympics roster. An understandable thought on her part, considering the ex-forward had the baggage to make things right, especially on the international front, after what transpired in the 2023 World Cup. But wistfully, Morgan didn’t get her chance to do so, making her understand that ‘this is life.’

Days after the American ladies returned from France with a gold medal, Morgan was preparing for her final goodbye speech—a bittersweet one, having announced her retirement and second pregnancy. Yet, deep down, somewhere the former San Diego Wave star wanted to curtain her international career on at least a good note. “I wanted one last major tournament,” began Morgan while speaking to People magazine.

“I just know how much those have meant to me in the past, both the Olympics and World Cup, so it would have been great to end my career on a high at a major tournament. After the World Cup [in 2023], not being able to have gone far enough to be really proud, I wanted to be able to push for one more,” added the 36-year-old, admitting she could have done something for Emma Hayes and Co. in Paris.

But the stark reality somehow hit the former Tottenham player, who had to compromise that it was time to keep her national team jersey in her cupboard’s hanger. “I think the team was moving in a different direction, was trending younger, was looking towards the future, was looking to empower the young players, and I fully understood that.”

Despite Morgan’s eagerness to continue with the team and make the Olympic roster, she acknowledged that there was always a possibility she might not make it, given the age factor, challenges of the past year, and the length of time she had been with the team. “There was a sentiment of passing the torch. As disappointed as I was, I carried on and understood that this is life,” concluded Alex, disappointed to miss out from Emma Hayes’ team.

Forget Morgan, even fans weren’t getting over the fact that their favorite player will be hanging up her boots with a rather poignant memory of the World Cup. However, it was something that had to be accepted. So we gotta ask her, how’s retirement life, Morgan?

Alex Morgan isn’t stopping after retirement as few things are on the ‘horizon’ after Emma Hayes’ snub

Although retired, Alex Morgan appears to have plans to invest in various ventures alongside her husband, Servando Carrasco. “I have a lot of things in the works,” mentioned Morgan earlier.

“Aside from growing our family, I have my foundation that I’m continuing to grow, my media company TOGETHXR, I’m doing various investing with my husband as we get into VC a little bit more, and a couple more things on the horizon that I hope to be able to share soon,” she concluded. 

Notably, weeks ago, Morgan also unveiled her game-changing project, which is undoubtedly a helping hand to uplift the women’s game. Not to mention the soccer power couple is excited to embrace the next chapter of their lives, with a second baby on the way.

So it’s safe to say that Alex Morgan may have stopped kicking soccer, but nothing won’t be stopping her!