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Women's football legend Alex Morgan announces her retirement and reveals pregnancy

Alex Morgan, 35, has announced that she is retiring from professional soccer after a glittering career that includes two World Cup titles, an Olympic gold medal, and 224 caps for the USWNT

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Alex Morgan won the Women's World Cup twice(Image: Getty Images)

Women's football legend Alex Morgan has emotionally announced her retirement on social media after sharing her pregnancy news.

The 35-year-old will hang up her boots as a two-time Women's World Cup winner, an Olympic gold medallist, and with a host of other titles and individual accolades under her belt. Morgan concludes her career with an impressive 224 caps for the US national team, netting a staggering 123 goals.

Her decision comes after being omitted from the Olympic squad by new head coach Emma Hayes, a tournament the US went on to clinch with a 1-0 triumph over Brazil in Paris. "I'm going to get to the point quickly. I'm retiring and I have so much clarity about this decision and I'm so happy to be able to finally tell you," Morgan revealed in a video on X on Thursday.

"It has been a long time coming and this decision wasn't easy but at the beginning of 2024 I felt in my heart and soul that this was the last season that I would play football.

"Soccer has been a part of me for 30 years and it was one of the first things that I ever loved and I gave everything to this sport and what I got in return was more than I could have ever dreamed of. Success for me is defined by never giving up and giving your all and I did just that.

"I'm giving my all every single day on the field and I did that. Giving my all in the relentless push for global investment in women's sports because we deserve that. Giving my all in my various businesses beyond the soccer fields and giving my all as a mom to my daughter Charlie.

"Charlie came up to me the other day and said that when she grows up she wants to be a soccer player and it just made me like immensely proud not because I wish for her to become a soccer player when she grows up but because a pathway exists that even a four year old can see now."

Morgan also announced she is expecting her second child, adding: "This is also not the retirement video I expected when I initially thought I was going to do this because Charlie is going to be a big sister. I am pregnant and as unexpected as this came we are so overjoyed.

"To me family means everything. I wouldn't be here without my husband and my family uplifting and motivating and encouraging and supporting me and sacrificing for me for the last 15 years as a professional athlete."

Morgan is set to play her final football match for the San Diego Wave on Sept. 8 against the North Carolina Courage. However, it remains uncertain how much she will participate due to her pregnancy.

"I'm also so grateful that I'll get one last game to put on the boots and this Sunday September 8th will be that game. I just want to thank the fans for always supporting us for always just using what we're saying and making it magnified," she concluded.

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