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via Imago

via Imago

The past few weeks have been quite tough for the USWNT, especially for the team’s star player Megan Rapinoe. The veteran is facing a lot of backlash along with her teammates following their shocking exit from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Despite the premature exit from the tournament, she wasn’t a sore loser.

It definitely wasn’t the World Cup run American fans expected from the 4X champions. Luck wasn’t with the ladies when they lost against Sweden. Interestingly, after the final game, Rapinoe showed her sportsmanship, as she backed her rival team’s player to win the prestigious tournament.

Megan Rapinoe motivates rival team star to win the World Cup

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The World Cup run was an unlucky one for USWNT. It was all the more unpropitious for Rapinoe, as it was her last World Cup. The forward was luckless against Sweden, having missed the penalty that cost her teammates and nation the tournament. Despite the frustration, the OL Reign star kept her cool and displayed true sportsmanship.

After the match, the 37-year-old was escorted by a bodyguard. On her way, she crossed paths with Sweden defender Magdalena Eriksson. Rapinoe stopped and turned to greet and congratulate the Bayern Munich star for progressing to the next round. After giving each other a long and heartwarming hug, the OL Reign star said, “Go and win it” to Eriksson.

Indeed, it’s quite a heartwarming gesture from Rapinoe. Despite losing the match to the Swedes, she kept her heart and mind strong and wished Eriksson and her team a glorious win. This was a class act from the U.S. forward which shows her sportsmanship. Perhaps this will soften the hearts of fans who have been a bit stone-cold toward her after the loss.

READ MORE: “Fire Vlatko Immediately” – Megan Rapinoe Misses Penalty as USWNT Crash Out of the World Cup Losing to Sweden Leaving Fans in Shock

In the end, winning and losing is a part of the game. Surprisingly, after the match, aside from getting slammed by the USWNT fans, she also drew criticism from former U.S. president Donald Trump.

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Donald Trump criticizes Rapinoe for World Cup exit

Following USWNT’s exit from the World Cup, Rapinoe drew unexpected criticism from former U.S. President, Donald Trump. He took to the Truth Social App, and wrote, “The ‘shocking and totally unexpected’ loss by the US Women’s Soccer Team to Sweden is fully emblematic of what is happening to our once great Nation under Crooked Joe Biden.”

“Many of our players were openly hostile to America- No other country behaved in such a manner, or even close. WOKE EQUALS FAILURE,” Notably, it was the closing sentence of his post that captured significant attention. In a jab aimed at Megan Rapinoe, who missed a critical penalty, the former president wrote, “Nice shot Megan, the USA is going to Hell!!! MAGA.” As of yet, Rapinoe hasn’t responded to Mr. Trump’s words.

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For now, all the fans have is her exit from international soccer on a sad note.

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