Over the past two decades, the Women’s World Cup has gone from strength to strength, thanks in no small part to the larger-than-life players that have graced its stage.
More legends will emerge and further stories will be told in Australia and New Zealand this summer, but every good tale must come to an end. Lauren James for example is an incoming star that maybe the World isn’t ready for.
And, sadly, the 2023 World Cup will be the last opportunity we get to marvel at some of the most revered players of all time.
Megan Rapinoe (United States)
Megan Rapinoe headlines the list of departing heroes, but she is far from the only icon whose international career is drawing to a close. She announced that she would retire at the end of the 2023 NWSL season.
Marta (Brazil)
The competition’s all-time top scorer eventually confirmed that this would be her final Word Cup Competition in June. Widely recognised as one of the best to ever do it, her World Cup journey began all the way back in 2003.
Christine Sinclair (Canada)
Despite her age the Canadian forward still awes the stadium with skill and marvellous dexterity with the ball. Furthermore, she’s still leading the line for Canada and will compete in her sixth World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand.
Eugenie Le Sommer (France)
The centre-forward will be playing in her fourth tournament this summer and Marie-Antoinette Katoto’s injury means her goal-scoring prowess will be more important than ever. The Lyon Legend will be 38 at end of the 2027 World Cup Games.
Maren Mjelde (Norway)
Mjelde’s exemplary defense at club level this season has been of essence. Slotting in at centre-back for the final stretch of Chelsea’s season and helping Emma Hayes’ side further complete a historic double, wonders. Appearing for 165 times for Norway at three World Cups is unmatched, but at a fourth in 2027 will be a stretch. She will be 37.
Ali Riley (New Zealand)
The Legend who must feature for New Zealand fora successful game, is also the captain of the City of Light Queens with 150 CAPs.
She will be competing in a fifth World Cup and playing in front of a home crowd provides a chance for Riley to have a storybook ending to her international career.
The List is seems endless for World Cup Heroines who are playing their finals in international football given their age and desire to embark on their life after Football.
Onome Ebi (Nigeria), Caroline Seger (Sweden), Kelley O’Hara (United States), Sherida Spitse (Netherlands), Alyssa Naeher (United States) to mention but a few are said to be playing their final World Cup in 2027.
by: Sports-Guru