There is no doubt Morgan’s influence has spread far beyond the football pitch and the USA.
Jeff Kassouf, co-author of ‘The Making of the Women’s World Cup’, previously told BBC Sport Morgan was “arguably the most recognisable woman who plays a team sport” in the world.
But there have been moments on the pitch that will live long in the memory, alongside her trophy success.
When England and the USA locked heads in a rivalry-fuelled World Cup semi-final in 2019, she scored the winning goal and celebrated by pretending to drink a cup of tea.
“Not since Boston dumped it in the sea has England been dissed with tea like this,” declared the front page of the following day’s New York Post.
Former US presidential candidate and ex-first lady Hillary Clinton also posted on social media at the time: “Congrats to the #USWNT for earning that tea.”
In that same World Cup, Morgan scored five goals as the USA beat Thailand 13-0 and later had to defend their celebrations, who some described as disrespectful.
“These are goals we have dreamt of our entire life,” Morgan said at the time, emphasising the USA’s winning mentality which kept them at the top for so long.
She also scored a crucial last-minute goal in the London 2012 Olympics semi-final and the USA went on to win gold, defeating Japan 2-1 in the final.
But while Morgan is a global superstar on and off the pitch, her persona has often been quiet, reserved and understated.
When she has chosen to speak, people have listened. And when she has performed, her team has so often won.
“Success for me is defined by never giving up and giving your all. I’ve been doing just that,” said Morgan in the video she posted, external to announce her retirement.
“I’ve been giving my all every single day on the field, giving my all in the relentless push for global investment in women’s sport – because we deserve that – giving my all in my various businesses beyond the soccer field and giving my all to my daughter Charlie.”
Women’s “soccer” has developed considerably due to her influence and there is now a generation of girls calling Alex Morgan their idol and not Lionel Messi. That in itself is some legacy.
Source link : https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c624evjm9gno
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Publish date : 2024-09-05 07:07:00
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