SAN DIEGO — The surprise news of San Diego Wave star Alex Morgan’s retirement resulted in an outpouring of commentary across the sports world on Thursday, with former teammates weighing in on her legacy in the sport of soccer, and fans posting their thanks and appreciation.

“A legend of our game. Thank you, Alex,” said a post from the official National Women’s Soccer League on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Wave teammate Naomi Girma called Morgan a “legend of the game in every way.”

“I’m going to miss you so much,” Girma posted on Instagram.

“Thank you for all you’ve done,” added a post from former Wave teammate Taylor Kornieck Flint.

Morgan, a two-time Women’s World Cup champion, posted a video to social media on Thursday around 8 a.m. announcing that she’s pregnant, retiring and that this Sunday’s game will be the finale for her career as a player.

“Everyone who has played a part in my career has played some part that has made me where I am today and who I am today,” Morgan said in the video. “And I am so shaped into me because of you, because of soccer. I am forever grateful.”

Tributes, well wishes and stories about the soccer star were quickly posted to social media platforms, including Instagram and X. Lindsey Horan, a longtime teammate of Morgan’s on the U.S. women’s national team and the recent captain of the team during the Paris Olympics, posted a statement on Instagram Stories:

“Don’t think many people will ever understand the weight you carried with you every day being the face of this team and women’s football in general,” Horan’s post said. “You made the game better for so many little ones looking up to you and what an incredible career on top of it. Congrats Al.”

Other recent Olympians, U.S. national team forwards Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman, followed on Instagram Stories:

“Thank you for all that you have done for this game,” Swanson posted. “Love you.”

“No word… ur amazing thank you for paving the way for me and so many others,” Rodman wrote.

Sam Mewis, a former U.S. national team teammate of Morgan’s who now runs the U.S. women’s soccer media outlet “The Women’s Game,” wrote that Morgan’s impact on soccer is “unmatched.”

“It was an honor to be teammates with someone who pushed the ceiling higher & pulled us up along with her. I have immense respect for Alex & her commitment to being her best, growing the game & WINNING. Thank you, Alex,” the statement said on The Women’s Game’s X account.

The reaction spread outside of the U.S. women’s national team, with soccer commentator Roger Bennett calling Morgan “a peerless icon of the global game.”

“The face of American Soccer Glory over the past decade, utilizing her left foot to smite all comers,” said a statement from Bennett on the Men in Blazers account on X. “Alex crossed over to become a popular culture bright light, while simultaneously expressing herself as a partner, a mother, and a thriving entrepreneur.”

Morgan will play her final game for the San Diego Wave on Sunday at Snapdragon Stadium, she said in the announcement. The Wave will face the North Carolina Courage at 5 p.m.

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