Serena Williams’ former coach Rene Stubbs recently congratulated soccer star Megan Rapinoe on her retirement from the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team.
Stubbs has been a long-time supporter of Rapinoe, who is widely considered one of the best soccer players of her generation and an outspoken advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, social justice and equal pay.
Rapinoe, 38, played her final game for the U.S. Women’s National Team on Sunday, Sept. 24, at Soldier Field in Chicago. She led the team to a 2-0 victory over South Africa.
Stubbs took to Instagram Stories on Sunday to congratulate Rapinoe on a stellar career.
“Congratulations to @mrapinoe on an amazing career and always standing up for equality!” Stubbs wrote on Instagram.
Rapinoe has spoken out for LGBTQIA+ rights and various social justice causes in the United States. In 2022, at age 38, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, from President Joe Biden.
“It makes me very proud to know that we had such success on the court and that we helped make the world a better place,” Rapinoe said after the victory.
“It was so overwhelming. It was great. It was really great, hearing all the great things and having a final moment, performing in front of a big audience again. I’m going to miss it forever. I don’t think I always There will be a moment when it feels perfect, but it’s so close now,” she added.
Rapinoe ended her international career with 203 international caps, 63 goals, two World Cup titles, an Olympic gold medal and numerous individual awards, including the Women’s Ballon d’Or and the 2019 FIFA Women’s Most Powerful Player of the Year award. Best female player.
Serena Williams’ former coach earlier reacts to Team USA’s loss at FIFA Women’s World Cup
Serena Williams’ former coach Rene Stubbs has previously defended the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT)’s elimination from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup by Sweden.
The U.S. women’s soccer team was eliminated in the round of 16, losing 5-4 in a penalty shootout. The defeat shattered the team’s dreams of a third consecutive Women’s World Cup title.
After the defeat, the team was criticized and reviled. Stubbs defended the team on social media, expressing her disbelief at the unwarranted abuse directed at players.
Stubbs wrote on Instagram: “I’m appalled by the vitriol some people in this country have said about @uswnt! These women work their butts off every day to win and represent their country proudly when someone is actually working against them .”
“The jealous, unpatriotic nature of this vitriol is outrageous. Before you say disgraceful things to people who only want to do one thing, win for you and your flag, you should check Yourselves and your ‘national pride’,” she further added. .
Stubbs coached Serena Williams during the 2022 U.S. Open, where she lost in three sets to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round.