Speaking to reporters in her home state of California, Rapinoe said she had known for about a year that this would be the point at which she would be ready to retire.
This is the first time a player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo has topped the list in eight years.
Lionel Messi intends to join Major Soccer League side Inter Miami as a free agent, the Argentina forward said on Wednesday.
The 38-year-old defender, who spent his entire club career at Russian clubs, was a key member of Russia's run to the last eight at their home tournament, having played in each of their five matches.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
In 1958, he was instrumental in Les Bleus reaching the semi-finals in Sweden.
Nike Inc and some other big international companies face a grilling over their powerful role in Brazilian soccer.
Football action from across Europe in matches played on Saturday
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.
Al Hilal, managed by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, play Al Fayha on Saturday with Neymar expected to wear the number 10 shirt.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
In cricket, we have something that we can share with our families, neighbours and indeed, the whole country. It is colour-blind, language-neutral, truly secular and transcends all regions, from Kashmir to Kerala and Mizoram to Maharashtra, explains Shreekant Sambrani.
IMAGES from soccer matches played across Europe on Saturday.
Earlier, Messi's World Cup-winning team mate Emiliano Martinez won the Lev Yashin award for the world's best goalkeeper.
Premier League clubs spend $1 billion for first time in January transfer window
Pictures on social media also appeared to show Nazi salutes being performed by supporters of Sydney United 58, who were founded as Sydney Croatia in 1958 and were a powerhouse in the National Soccer League that preceded the formation of the A-League in 2004.
On a seismic day in the history of Chelsea, Romelu Lukaku scored the winning goal in a 3-2 FA Cup fifth-round victory
Neuer sidelined for 'coming weeks' after knee surgery - Bayern
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Real Madrid are the richest soccer club by revenue for the 11th straight year and La Liga rivals Barcelona have leapfrogged Manchester United into second.
Marseille cement second place with Montpellier win
Ridwaan Goolam Hoosen, an avid South African soccer fan, is used to having to leave the grounds to find a prayer space, including at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
'My only problem is banning alcohol'
Moffi penalty gives Lorient 1-0 win over Monaco.
IMAGES from football matches played across leagues in Europe on Sunday.
A record audience of more than 3.5 billion people watched this year's World Cup in Russia, with the final between France and Croatia attracting 1.12 billion viewers, world soccer's governing body said on Friday.
The injury will also rule him out of the reigning European champions' two Champions League quarter-final legs against last year's runners-up Paris St Germain, scheduled for April 7 and April 13.
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IMAGES from soccer matches played in the EPL, La Liga and Serie A on Tuesday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Italy's top-flight Serie A soccer league launched a new anti-racism campaign on Monday by presenting artwork featuring three side-by-side paintings of apes but the move has been described by campaign group Fare as a sick joke. News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.
Organisers reported 10 new cases connected to the Olympics including media, contractors and other personnel, down from 15 on Saturday.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will attempt to set a world record for attendance at a tennis match, with the help of some celebrity guests, when they play an exhibition game in Cape Town in February.
Spain and Portugal played out an entertaining 0-0 draw on Friday as both sides prepared for this month's European Championship.
Megan Rapinoe earlier won the women's Ballon d'Or after leading the United States to a record-extending fourth World Cup title in France this year as they retained the trophy.
A deal for United is expected to shatter records for the sale of a sports business. The club's current majority owners, the Glazer family, are seeking a valuation as high as 7 billion pounds ($8.42 billion).
Leicester City suffered a frustrating night on the south coast as they were held to a 1-1 draw in the Premier League
