Abby Wambach's 5 Best Quotes

Big news, sports fans: Longtime U.S. women's soccer star Abby Wambach is retiring after tonight's game against China in New Orleans. It truly is the end of an era, and the world of women's soccer will never be the same without her as a player. She will truly be missed.

Abby Wambach, now 35, began playing professional soccer in 2002 as a team member of the Washington Freedom. In the years since, she's played for multiple professional women's leagues as well as being part of the U.S. Women's National Team. She's been on four FIFA World Cup teams, including the victorious 2015 team, been to the Olympics three times, and has two Olympic gold medals. And even beyond all of that, she's been an inspirational figure, both on and off the field, for years.

Wambach is responsible for some of the most iconic moments in women's sports in the past decade, from her header goal in the 2011 World Cup tournament to kissing her wife after her 2015 World Cup win. She's been outspoken about important issues such as pay inequality in sports, and has generally been inspiring for a generation of girls hoping to play soccer.

Wambach may be retiring, but she will certainly not be forgotten. Here are five of her best quotes to remember her by once she steps off the field once and for all.

1. On Teamwork:

"I've never scored a goal in my life without getting a pass from someone else."

2. On Equal Pay For Female Athletes:

"Overall, as a culture, we have been so imprinted on the fact that women make less money, get fewer opportunities. I'm very passionate about it because the amazing part about equality and being treated fairly and being treated humanely, is that it doesn't cost a cent."

3. On Loving Your Body:

"I am a firm believer that if you feel good and you are happy and you are doing all the things you need to on a daily basis — whether it be for your profession or as a professional athlete — you are going to be more comfortable in your skin."

4. On Kissing Her Wife After Her World Cup Win:

"I have never been ashamed of my sexuality. Ever. I am not going to scream it from the rooftops, but I sure want to share that moment with my better half."

5. On Her Legacy And No One Being Bigger Than The Game:

"Forget me. Forget my number. Forget my name. Forget I ever existed. Forget the medals won, the records broken and the sacrifices made. I want to leave a legacy where the ball keeps rolling forward, where the next generation accomplishes things so great that I am no longer remembered. So forget me, because the day I’m forgotten is the day we will succeed."

And though her point is well taken, I doubt anyone is going to forget her any time soon. At least not if this video from her teammates is any indication.