Megan Rapinoe’s career is defined by a rare combination of elite athletic achievement and fearless social activism. From her first NCAA championship to the Ballon d’Or Féminin, she has collected honors that span collegiate dominance, international glory, and off-field impact. This article examines the full scope of her accolades, providing context for each award and explaining why they matter in the broader landscape of women’s sports.

Early Life and Collegiate Foundation

Megan Rapinoe’s journey to soccer stardom began in Redding, California, where she played in youth leagues before joining the University of Portland Pilots. At Portland, she helped lead the team to an NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship in 2005, scoring the game-winning goal in the semifinal. Her collegiate performance earned her a spot on the All-West Coast Conference First Team and the NCAA All-Tournament Team, signaling the start of a decorated career.

Beyond the championship, Rapinoe was twice named a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist (2006, 2007), an honor recognizing the top collegiate soccer player in the United States. Those early accolades showcased her creative playmaking and set a foundation of excellence that she carried into professional and international soccer. Her time at Portland also allowed her to refine the precise crossing and set-piece delivery that would later become her trademark at the highest levels of the game.

Major International Team Achievements

Rapinoe’s list of team honors is extraordinary, anchored by two FIFA Women’s World Cup titles and an Olympic gold medal. Each tournament not only added hardware but also demonstrated her ability to perform on the world’s biggest stages.

FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion (2015, 2019)

Rapinoe was a key member of the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) that won the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, though she did not play in the final due to a minor injury. Still, her group-stage contributions—including an assist and sharp service from the wing—helped the USWNT sweep through the tournament. The 2019 victory in France, however, cemented her as a global icon. She scored six goals in the tournament, including a penalty in the final against the Netherlands, and won both the Golden Boot (top scorer) and the Golden Ball (best player). The 2019 World Cup delivered not just a trophy but also a shift in public perception of women’s soccer, with attendances and television ratings breaking records across the globe.

That performance earned her the FIFA Women’s World Cup Silver Ball (second-best player) in 2015 as well, but 2019 was the crescendo. She became the first player since Carli Lloyd in 2015 to win both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot in the same World Cup. FIFA officially named her the tournament’s best, and the award remains one of the pinnacle achievements in her career. For official statistics and match reports, the FIFA World Cup archive provides a comprehensive record of her 2019 campaign.

Olympic Gold Medal (2012) and Bronze Medal (2020)

At the 2012 London Olympics, Rapinoe’s pinpoint crosses and corner kicks were critical to the USWNT’s gold-medal run. She provided three assists, including the iconic “Olimpico”—an Olympic goal scored directly from a corner kick—against Canada in the semifinal, a moment still replayed in highlight reels. The United States defeated Japan 2–1 in the final, securing gold. In the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), Rapinoe helped the team earn a bronze medal, contributing a goal and an assist in the bronze-medal match against Australia. Though not gold, it extended her Olympic medal count to two, underscoring her longevity at the highest level.

The USWNT also secured the SheBelieves Cup multiple times (2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), with Rapinoe consistently performing as a starter or key substitute. While the SheBelieves Cup carries less prestige than a World Cup or Olympic title, it reflects the dominance of the USWNT during her tenure. The tournament, which began in 2016, has become an annual fixture for top women’s national teams, and Rapinoe’s presence in so many winning squads underlines her consistency.

Individual International Honors and Awards

Beyond team success, Rapinoe has collected a suite of individual honors that measure her impact on the pitch. These awards are voted on by peers, journalists, and coaches, making them a direct reflection of her standing within the sport.

Ballon d’Or Féminin (2019)

In December 2019, Rapinoe was awarded the Ballon d’Or Féminin, the most prestigious individual prize in women’s football. The award, presented by France Football, recognizes the best female player in the world over the previous calendar year. Rapinoe’s World Cup performance, combined with her club play for Reign FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), earned her the trophy. She became only the third recipient in history, following Ada Hegerberg and Carli Lloyd. The Ballon d’Or signified that her achievements transcended team success and placed her at the apex of the sport’s individual accolades. The official France Football page provides a detailed history of the award and the voting process.

FIFA Best Women’s Player (2019)

At the same time, FIFA named Rapinoe The Best FIFA Women’s Player for 2019. This award is voted on by national team coaches, captains, journalists, and fans. She edged out Lucy Bronze and Alex Morgan, further validating her place as the top female footballer of the year. The double—Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best—is rare and speaks to a season of near perfection. Only a handful of players have achieved this in the same year, including Lionel Messi and Carli Lloyd.

FIFA Women’s World Cup Golden Ball and Golden Boot (2019)

As noted, the Golden Ball recognized her as the tournament’s most outstanding player, while the Golden Boot rewarded her six goals. She also won the Silver Ball in the 2015 World Cup, demonstrating consistency across two World Cups. The Golden Ball is chosen by the FIFA Technical Study Group, while the Golden Boot is purely statistical; winning both simultaneously highlighted Rapinoe’s unique combination of scoring and influence.

U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year (2019)

Rapinoe was named U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2019, an award voted by coaches, players, and media. It recognized her dominance in a year where she also helped the USWNT win the World Cup. She was a finalist in other years, but 2019 was her crowning domestic individual honor. This award is particularly significant within the U.S. soccer system, given the depth of talent on the USWNT.

NWSL and Club Accolades

While much of Rapinoe’s fame comes from international play, her club career in the National Women’s Soccer League has also yielded recognition. Playing for Seattle Reign FC (later OL Reign), she was named to the NWSL Best XI in 2014, 2015, and 2019. She won the NWSL Championship in 2022 as a key player for OL Reign, finally earning a league title after several near-misses. Additionally, she was a two-time NWSL Player of the Week and consistently ranked among the league’s leaders in assists and chances created.

Earlier in her career, Rapinoe played for the Chicago Red Stars and Philadelphia Independence in the now-defunct Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league, but those years produced fewer individual honors. Still, her transition to the NWSL solidified her reputation as a dynamic winger. The 2022 championship was particularly sweet, as it came in her final season before retirement, allowing her to lift the trophy in front of the Seattle crowd.

Off-Field Recognition and Activism Honors

Rapinoe’s influence extends far beyond soccer. Her activism for LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, gender equality, and equal pay has earned her honors from outside the sports world. These awards reflect a career that deliberately bridged the gap between athletic performance and social change.

TIME 100 Most Influential People (2020)

In 2020, TIME magazine named Rapinoe to the TIME 100 list of the most influential people in the world. She was recognized for her leadership in the fight for equal pay for the USWNT and her outspoken advocacy. The list highlighted how she used her platform not just to win titles but to challenge systemic inequities. The TIME 100 feature includes a tribute written by teammate Alex Morgan, further emphasizing her impact within the sport.

Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (2020)

Sports Illustrated named Rapinoe the Sportsperson of the Year in 2020, sharing the cover with LeBron James, Naomi Osaka, and Patrick Mahomes. The magazine praised her “relentless pursuit of justice” and her willingness to kneel during the national anthem in support of Colin Kaepernick. The award reflected a year when sports figures were judged as much by their social impact as by their athletic performance. The archive at Sports Illustrated contains the full cover story and editorial.

GLAAD Media Award and Human Rights Campaign Honors

Rapinoe has repeatedly been honored by LGBTQ+ organizations. She received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding VMA (Visibility Award) and was named to the GLAAD 20 under 40 list. The Human Rights Campaign gave her the National Equality Award in 2019, recognizing her advocacy for marriage equality and transgender rights. These awards demonstrate the breadth of her impact on civil rights beyond sports. The GLAAD website has a full list of past winners and citations.

ESPY Awards: Best Female Athlete and Arthur Ashe Courage Award

In 2022, Rapinoe received the ESPY Award for Best Female Athlete in 2020, as well as the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYS in 2022. The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is given to individuals whose contributions transcend sports; Rapinoe was recognized for her activism on racial justice and gender equality. ESPN noted that she “stood up for what she believes in, even when it’s unpopular.” The ESPY stage has long been a platform for social messages, and Rapinoe used her acceptance speech to call for equal pay and police reform.

FIFA Fair Play Award and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

Rapinoe was awarded the FIFA Fair Play Award in 2020 alongside the Norway women’s national team for their collective advocacy. Additionally, she was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, further solidifying her role as a humanitarian. These honors, while less athletic in nature, underscore her commitment to using soccer as a force for good. The UNICEF appointment was announced in 2020, and she has since participated in campaigns for child welfare and education.

Honorary Degrees and Lifetime Recognition

Several universities have conferred honorary degrees on Rapinoe for her contributions to sports and society. The University of Portland, Smith College, and others have recognized her as an alumna who exemplifies leadership and integrity. These degrees, while not competitive awards, signify the lasting impact she has made on and off the field. Smith College awarded her an honorary Doctor of Laws in 2021, acknowledging her work in civil rights and gender equity.

Additionally, the National Soccer Hall of Fame announced her as a 2024 inductee, a lifetime honor that caps her professional career. While the induction ceremony will take place after her retirement, it places her in the permanent record of U.S. soccer history alongside legends like Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach.

Legacy and Enduring Influence

Megan Rapinoe’s awards and honors tell a story of sustained excellence and courageous leadership. From her first NCAA championship to the pinnacle of the Ballon d’Or, she has consistently risen to challenges. Her ability to combine athletic dominance with social advocacy has set a new standard for what it means to be a sports icon. The 2019 World Cup alone produced a haul of individual trophies that most athletes can only dream of, but her off-field recognition adds layers to her legacy.

As she transitions out of professional soccer, Rapinoe’s influence will continue through her foundation, speaking engagements, and ongoing activism. The honors she accumulated are not endpoints but markers of a career that changed how the world views women’s sports and the power of an athlete’s voice. For fans and future players, her career serves as a blueprint for excellence combined with purpose. Her story is still being written, but the awards already in place ensure that she will be remembered as one of the most decorated and influential athletes of her generation.

For more details on her World Cup performances, see the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 official site. To learn about the Ballon d’Or Féminin, visit the France Football Ballon d’Or page. Read the full TIME 100 profile at TIME’s 100 Most Influential People. Her Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year feature is archived at Sports Illustrated. For Olympic history, check the Olympic athlete profile. Additionally, the National Soccer Hall of Fame has her induction details at their official website.