WATCH: USWNT legend Alex Morgan fights back tears as she announces her retirement, says it 'wasn’t easy'

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: Alex Morgan, a two-time Women's World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist, has officially announced her retirement from soccer.

The 35-year-old striker made this announcement on social media Thursday morning, September 5, marking the end of her illustrious career.

Morgan, widely recognized as one of the world’s top female soccer players, has been a key figure in the sport for over a decade.

Her retirement comes after being left off the roster for the 2024 Olympics by new USWNT head coach Emma Hayes, a tournament the United States went on to win against Brazil. 

Why did Alex Morgan decide to retire?

Alex Morgan, who gave birth to her daughter Charlie in 2020, continued to represent the United States after becoming a mother, competing at both the Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 World Cup. However, she felt the time had come to step away from the game.

"It has been a long time coming and this decision [to retire] wasn’t easy," Morgan shared in her emotional video on X, captioning it "Thank You."

"But at the beginning of 2024, I felt in my heart and soul that this would be the last season that I would play soccer," she added.

Reflecting on her lifelong connection to the sport, she added, "Soccer has been a part of me for 30 years and was one of the first things that I ever loved."

"I gave everything to this sport, and what I got in return was more than I could ever have dreamed of," Morgan expressed.

Alex Morgan's impact on women's soccer

Alex Morgan's career is filled with remarkable achievements, both on and off the field. She was part of the US women’s team that secured a landmark equal pay deal after filing a lawsuit in 2022, according to BBC.

With 224 appearances and 123 goals, she ranks fifth on the all-time scoring list for the USWNT and has made the ninth-most appearances in team history, ESPN noted.

"Success for me is defined by never giving up and giving your all, and I did just that," Morgan stated.

"I’m giving my all every single day on the field... in the relentless push for global investment in women’s sports because we deserve that," she said who also holds the USWNT record for 16 goals as a mother, surpassing Joy Fawcett.

"Giving my all as a mom to my daughter Charlie," she added, mentioning her proudest moments both as an athlete and as a parent.

Morgan's daughter Charlie has been a source of joy and motivation. "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 immensely proud," she shared.

What’s next for Alex Morgan? 

In addition to her soccer legacy, Alex Morgan is also celebrating personal milestones. She revealed that she is expecting her second child, making her retirement announcement more exciting.

"This is also not the retirement video I expected because Charlie is going to be a big sister. I am pregnant, and as unexpected as this came, we are so overjoyed," Morgan said in her heartfelt statement.

Morgan’s final match will take place on September 8, when she will represent the San Diego Wave in their game against North Carolina Courage.

"I’m also so grateful that I’ll get one last game to put on the boots... I just want to thank the fans for always supporting us," the USWNT star concluded.