'Long!' - Megan Rapinoe's blunt assessment of her incredible career as USWNT prepare for Olympic Games without OL Reign legend for first time in 14 years

Rapinoe announced she would be retiring from the game at the end of the 2023 season, calling time on a trophy-laden career. She retired as one of the greatest legends of women's soccer, coming through as the sport found its footing in America. Across her 17 years in the game, Rapinoe won gold at the London 2012 Olympics and savoured World Cup glory twice. But despite countless accolades at international level, the 38-year-old admitted her journey was a "long" one.

She said of her USWNT career to NBC: "I describe my journey as a journey. It has been long. It's always special to represent your country that way, to be one of the few. It's challenging in so many ways, as soon as you accomplish one thing, there is something more. You can't really rest on what you have done prior."

That final statement rings true once again for the USWNT, who without Rapinoe bounced back from their World Cup disappointment to win the CONCACAF W Gold Cup earlier this month. They now face the daunting prospect of an Olympic Games without the legendary winger, doing so for the first time in 14 years.

While she became a legend of NWSL side Seattle Reign, Rapinoe's career involved journeys across the U.S. and around the world. She joined the Chicago Red Stars in 2009 before switching to the now-defunct teams of Philadelphia Independence and magicJack. Rapinoe enjoyed spells with the Seattle Sounders, Sydney FC in Australia and French side Lyon Women before joining OL Reign in 2014.

It is certainly a period of change for the USWNT going into Paris 2024. They will not only be without Rapinoe but they will also have a new head coach in the form of Emma Hayes. The current Chelsea boss will leave at the end of the WSL campaign ahead of her "dream" appointment to manage at an Olympic Games.