Alex Morgan: Still breaking barriers on and off the pitch - even in retirement

Alex Morgan’s football career is built on breaking barriers.

Even in retirement, the former United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) forward is continuing to shatter glass ceilings.

In a recent move, a company she is a founder in – Togethxr – announced a partnership with English club London City Lionesses.

The side, who were promoted to the Women’s Super League ahead of this season, will don the company’s slogan “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports” on their jerseys.

“We’re joining forces to reaffirm that the future of women’s sports is here,” Morgan said.

“It’s global, and it’s inevitable. London City Lionesses were born to disrupt football, and Togethxr was born to disrupt sports media.”

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Alex Morgan on motherhood

Recently Morgan gave birth to her second child Enzo, five years on from having daughter Charlie.

Having one child while still actively playing and one while retired has made for vastly different experiences for the 36-year-old.

“It’s been so great just being able to take a lot more time this time around with the kids,” she explained to SELF.

“At this time [with Charlie], I was moving to London to play with Tottenham Hotspur; I felt my body stretching in ways I wasn’t used to before.

“[After her second pregnancy], I felt like I took care of my body, but I also gave it the grace to not go for a run or get in the gym… my body responded really well this time around, in being able to give birth and get back to feeling good.”

If she had given birth while still pursuing her career the second time around, Morgan will be well equipped for far better conditions, largely thanks to her own work behind the scenes.

Post-giving birth to Charlie, coming back to the field required major adjustments from both clubs and the NWSL itself.

“It was very difficult because there were no rules, there was no standard for moms in the NWSL or even on the national team,” she said on the Call Her Daddy podcast.

“It was interesting because I was being pulled in a million directions; I was trying to be a great mom, and I was trying to a great soccer player, so now having to write new rules and advocate for all moms [for] the future [of] soccer was a lot at once.

“There were a lot of challenges to work through and a lot of barriers to break down – now in the NWSL, we can proudly be able to stand tall and [know that] you can do it all, have a family and continue playing, which wasn’t always the case.”

San Diego Wave to retire Morgan’s no.13

Morgan has repped the iconic no.13 on the back of her jersey for the majority of her career.

In a move that speaks to her impact in this sport and the club itself, the San Diego Wave will be retiring her shirt.

A ceremony will take place on 7 September, cementing yet another chapter in this history-making career of hers.

“I feel so fortunate that I got to play five years with my daughter – on the field with her after games, special moments walking out before the game with her, her being in the stands waving to me,” she said.

“It’s not only seeing them and how my journey is so unique to me, but also all the advocacy that I’ve worked for.”

Morgan has undeniably spearheaded the growth of women’s football worldwide – though her boots are hung up, she is showing no signs of slowing down.

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