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June 7, 2023, Paris, France, France: Natalie PORTMAN during the eleventh day of Roland-Garros 2023, French Open 2023, Grand Slam tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros Stadium on June 07, 2023 in Paris, France. Paris France – ZUMAm308 20230607_zsp_m308_002 Copyright: xMatthieuxMirvillex
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June 7, 2023, Paris, France, France: Natalie PORTMAN during the eleventh day of Roland-Garros 2023, French Open 2023, Grand Slam tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros Stadium on June 07, 2023 in Paris, France. Paris France – ZUMAm308 20230607_zsp_m308_002 Copyright: xMatthieuxMirvillex
Amidst the backdrop of personal issues, Natalie Portman made a public appearance recently. The Hollywood actress was in Sydney for the Angel City FC summit. It speaks volumes of her unwavering commitment to women’s sports that made FIFA President Gianni Infantino a fan of her work as the two had a brief discussion during her attendance for Australia’s Round of 16 game in the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Inspired by the USWNT’s 2019 World Cup winning campaign, Portman invested in women’s soccer. As a massive soccer fan, the Black Swan actress wants to achieve her goals by making her Angel City FC an emblem of change. And her work hasn’t gone unnoticed, as Gianni Infantino lauded Portman for her efforts to uplift women’s soccer, the goal shared by FIFA.
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Natalie Portman drives praise from FIFA chief
Portman’s Angel City FC is a notable example of bringing positive changes to women’s sports. The club diverts 1% of season pass sales to the pockets of its players and keeps 10% aside for local community partnerships. And her efforts received praise from Gianni Infantino recently as the duo talked in detail during Australia vs Denmark game in the Round of 16.
He wrote,?“It was wonderful to meet Natalie Portman in Sydney as she attended the FIFA Women’s World Cup to support Australia in their Round of 16 match with Denmark. It was great to know more about the great work she is doing with Angel City to further promote our beautiful sport and take it beyond greatness!”?Infantino used #FootballUnitesTheWorld at the end of his Instagram post adding a pic with the actress.
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HARRISON, NJ – AUGUST 28: Kara Nortman, managing partner of Upfront Ventures and founder of Angel City FC; Alexis Ohanian, leading investor for Angel City FC; actress Natalie Portman and founder of Angel City FC; former NFL New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and part of the Gotham FC ownership group; and Julie Urman, founder of Angel City FC, pose on the pitch before the National Women’s Soccer League match between NJ/NY Gotham FC and Angel City FC at Red Bull Arena on August 28, 2022 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black – Corbis/Getty Images)
Being an advocate of gender equity, Portman believes soccer is a significant stage to achieve it and took a step towards strengthening women’s sports. “What’s the most theatrical thing we can do to go for gender equity than to have this incredibly large group of influential women together, making a spectacle with these incredible players at the forefront?” were the words of Natalie Portman while addressing the Angel City Equity Summit in Sydney’s Opera House.?
It comes amid the difficulties in her personal life.
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Portman separates after 11 years of marriage
Natalie Portman and her long-time husband Benjamin Millepied recently decided to separate after 11 years of marriage. Reportedly, Millepied’s infidelity was the reason behind the split. The couple tried to sort it out but seems to have split, with Angel City co-owner suggesting with her recent actions.
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March 27, 2022, Beverly Hills, CA, USA: Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied arrive at the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 27, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. Beverly Hills USA – ZUMAs181 20220327_zea_s181_536 Copyright: xImagespacex
On their wedding anniversary, Portman was in Sydney last week without her partner. Also, her 4-carat wedding ring was missing from her finger days after the infidelity reports. And what could have been better than her favorite sport, soccer, to find a getaway from the turmoil?
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WATCH THIS STORY:?American Athletes With Ownership in Soccer Teams
Amid her personal issues, the legendary actress keeps her fight for equity going and that’s what makes Portman all the more admirable in soccer world.?
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