David Beckham, Megan Rapinoe and Julie Hertz enter the Hall of Fame

Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertztwo-time world champions with the United States team, were chosen to enter the Shall of fame of National Soccer in his first year of eligibility; David Beckham was also selected. Former U.S. national team forward Jozy Altidore, former indoor soccer player Tatu and former U.S. men’s national team coach Lothar Osiander also joined the class of 2027.

Rapinoe, 41, and Ertz, 34, were key players in the United States women’s national team winning World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. Rapinoe scored 63 goals in 203 games for the United States women’s team between 2006 and 2023. At the 2019 World Cup, held in France, she won the Golden Boot (highest scorer) and the Ballon d’Or (best player), and that same year she received the women’s Ballon d’Or (Ballon d’Or Féminin) as the best soccer player in the world.

The veteran Seattle Reign player has commented on her social networks about her induction into the Hall of Fame: “Being with all the best players who have passed through our team and have represented our country – many of them teammates and friends of mine – and receiving recognition like this means that you were successful and that you were part of great teams. Without a doubt, I was part of magnificent teams; it is something really special.”

Ertz, for her part, was a seasoned midfielder for the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT), with whom she scored 20 goals in 123 games. He spent most of his career at the club level with the Chicago Red Stars.

Beckham was already an established global superstar when he joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007, and his presence brought greater attention to Major League Soccer. He helped the Galaxy to MLS Cup titles in 2011 and 2012. As part of his contract to join the MLS, he was granted the option to purchase an expansion team at a reduced price; said club turned out to be Inter Miami. The team also boosted the league’s profile by signing Lionel Messi in 2023.