da betobet： The 2023 Women's World Cup presents a string of superstars with one final chance of leaving their mark on the global stage
da brdice： 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.
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 headlines the list of departing heroes, but she is far from the only icon whose international career is drawing to a close.
Ahead of the biggest World Cup of ever, GOALhas outlined some of the other players you need to keep an eye out for – because you might not get another chance after this summer's tournament…
GettyMegan Rapinoe (United States)
It was hardly a surprise but Rapinoe confirming that she would be retiring at the end of the 2023 NWSL season still grabbed headlines around the world. The USWNT star has transcended women's football for some time, with equal attention being paid to her forthright comments on societal issues and her performances on the pitch.
Rapinoe is one of a sizable group of U.S. players looking to complete a historic three-peat in Australia and New Zealand, having helped the Stars and Stripes claim world glory in 2015 and 2019. Her performances in France four years ago were particularly impressive and she rightly claimed the Golden Ball.
It will be a tough ask to replicate this inspirational form over the next month – particularly as she is unlikely to start – but lifting the trophy once again would be a fitting end to a quite remarkable career.
AdvertisementGettyMarta (Brazil)
It has long been whispered that this summer would be Marta's final World Cup and the competition's all-time top scorer eventually confirmed this to be the case in June. Widely recognised as one of the best to ever do it, her World Cup journey began all the way back in 2003.
Just 17 at the time, Marta netted three times in the group stages before Brazil were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Sweden. Four years later her legend began to be properly forged, as she netted four times – including an iconic brace against the USWNT in the semi-final – en route to winning the Golden Ball.
Unfortunately, her side would fall short in the final, losing 2-0 to Germany. This would be the closest Marta would come to lifting the World Cup trophy and her chances of breaking that duck this summer are scarce. Regardless, her place as a transformative figure in the women's game is secured.
GettyChristine Sinclair (Canada)
Sinclair recently turned 40, but she's still leading the line for Canada and will compete in her sixth World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand. A series of quite sensational stats speak volumes of the forward's astonishing career.
Sinclair has been capped an insane 323 times by Canada, with only U.S. legend Kristine Lilly making more appearances for their country. One record Sinclair does hold outright is international goals, with the veteran netting 190 times to date.
Canada are entering the World Cup amid significant turmoil off the pitch, with the team going close to withdrawing from the SheBelieves Cup due to a feud with their football federation over budget cuts. Canada Soccer were even reported to be considering filing for bankruptcy in the lead up to the tournament.
It's vital that this nonsense does not detract from what is likely to be Sinclair's final tournament. She deserves so much more.
Getty ImagesAlex Morgan (United States)
"Right now I'm taking it one season at a time. My body feels good, and I feel like I'm in the moment right now, so I'm not looking too far ahead."
That was Morgan's verdict when quizzed if she might follow longtime team-mate Rapinoe into retirement. Clearly then, nothing is certain. But it's difficult to imagine Morgan carrying on four another four years, particularly with so many talented youngsters gunning for her place in the United States' side.
If she does ride off into the sunset before the next World Cup, she will be difficult to replace on and off the pitch. Morgan has averaged well over a goal every other game during his international career and has helped front the U.S. soccer boom over the past decade and a half.