Megan Rapinoe suffered an injury less than three minutes into the final match of her iconic soccer career on Saturday night.
It had been hoped that Rapinoe would bow out in a blaze of glory by leading OL Reign to victory over NJ/NY Gotham FC in the 2023 NWSL Championship game.
But the game had barely begun before Rapinoe was forced to make a tearful exit.
The 2019 Ballon d'Or Feminin winner slipped while attempting to close down an opponent and remained on the ground for around 90 seconds before limping off the field with the help of medical staff.
Rapinoe was given a standing ovation from the crowd at Snapdragon Stadium, as well as a hug from Gotham captain Ali Krieger.
This was also the final game of Krieger's career.
The 39-year-old had been a teammate of Rapinoe's in the USWNT's FIFA Women's World Cup triumphs of 2015 and 2019.
More to follow.
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