End of an era: ‘Changed football’

The 38-year-olds Rapinoe and Seger have announced that the WC in Australia and New Zealand will be their last World Cup. Sunday’s round of 16 between Sweden and the USA in Melbourne will therefore mark the end of one of two classic WC careers.

Forward Alex Morgan, himself one of the veterans on the US team, has played with both. She and Caroline Seger were former teammates both in the American Western New York Flash and in the French big team Lyon, and Morgan has only good things to say about the Swedish team captain.

“Fantastic careers” USA striker Alex Morgan during Saturday’s press conference ahead of the World Cup round of 16 against Sweden in Melbourne.

Although of course she’s hoping it’s Megan Rapinoe who gets some World Cup games this summer.

— Both “Pinoe” and Seger have had fantastic careers. Now I feel very optimistic about the match tomorrow, but no matter what, these are two players who have really changed the sport, not only in Sweden and in the USA, but in the whole world, says Morgan at Saturday’s press conference.

What Rapinoe and Seger have in common is not just their age and the fact that they have been top class for so many years. They have also been two of the players who have fought with the highest voice for women’s football, and worked to improve the conditions for women’s players.

Have raked the road

It is thanks to people like them that today’s young talents step into a world where they can make a living from their football, says Alex Morgan.

— Since I have had the honor of playing with both, I know that they are fantastic teammates. They have been leading figures for so many years at the very highest level. They are two players who have had a huge impact, says Morgan.

— Football will definitely miss these two. They have helped pave the way for a new generation of players, who have thus been able to step into women’s football at a time when the sport is in a much better place.

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