Former U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe recently addressed the controversy that surrounded the final match of her career when she said that her Achilles injury was “proof” that there wasn’t a God, saying that there’s a “special place in hell” for those that celebrated it.
During an appearance on the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast, Rapinoe opened up about the injury she suffered early on in the NWSL Championship match between OL Reign and NJ/NY Gotham on Nov. 11. Rapinoe said, recalling the injury, “It is sad. I wish that didn’t happen.” She added, “I’m just thinking about my teammates coming over and — of course, it’s sad, but it’s also like — I don’t know, it’s kind of just like life. We want these perfect stories, and I’m like a controversial figure and having people low-key celebrate it. But then also be so disingenuous about it that that part is kinda funny, too. I’m like, ‘Wow, you guys are in a special place in hell that you’re celebrating this.'”
She described the timing of her injury as a “tragically comedic ending.” She said, “It’s not funny, but also, this is how I live my life. There are so many more important things than this. And, of course, it’s sad; I don’t think it takes anything away from my career.” Rapinoe spoke about her injury in a post-match press conference. At the time, she said getting injured in the final match of her career was “proof” that there wasn’t a God.
Rapinoe said at the time, “I’m not a religious person or anything, and if there was a God, like, this is proof that there isn’t. This is f—ed up. It’s just f—ed up. Six minutes in, and I eat my Achilles.” During the podcast, Rapinoe responded to the backlash she faced for making the remark, adding that she was making a “joke.” She said, “Somebody needs to check on the Christians. They’re not OK. They also missed the whole joke, but OK. Don’t act like A. you’re surprised by me making this joke about what happened or finding a dig. Who’s it at? God, myself, religion, the world? I don’t know. It’s just funny.”
Rapinoe, 38, announced her retirement ahead of the Women’s World Cup last summer. She has won two Women’s World Cup titles and an Olympic gold medal. She also took home the Ballon d’Or and the Best FIFA Women’s Player awards — the game’s top individual honors — for her play in 2019.