‘Special place in hell’ – USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe blasts fans who celebrated her devastating Achilles injury in final NWSL Championship game

The 38-year-old suffered the injury early in the NWSL Championship game between her OL Reign team and Gotham FC last November - with the latter running out victors. Now, the former USWNT international has hit out at those who laughed at her misfortune.

"It is sad, like I wish that didn't happen. I'm just thinking about my teammates coming over, of course it's sad. ... it's kinda just life," she said on the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast.

"We want these perfect stories and I'm a controversial figure, and having people celebrate it - but then also be so disingenuous about it, that that part is kinda funny too. I'm like, wow you guys are in a special place in hell that you're celebrating this."

Rapinoe played more than 200 times for her country, won the World Cup twice in 2015 and 2019 for the United States of America, was the leading figure in the USWNT's equal pay complaint for many years, and an LGBTQ+ icon. Not many can claim to have such a legacy.

Following her retirement from football, after a long and glittering career, Rapinoe said she will continue "banging the drum for a thousand years" when it comes to promoting the women's game. She also said she would like to play some role at her former team, OL Reign, but doesn't want to be a coach or "locked in one job". It remains to be seen what will happen next.