“I’m Exactly the Brash Arrogant Athlete That Americans Love” – Megan Rapinoe Believes Her Haters List Is Close to None

After playing professional soccer for more than a decade, Megan Rapinoe has decided to call it a day soon. While she nears her retirement, the USWNT star recently spoke about her career in detail. Rapinoe believes that she doesn’t have many haters. The stalwart of the game was proud of being ‘packaged differently’.

A few days ago, Rapinoe made a major announcement surrounding her retirement. As she prepares to hang her boots after this NWSL season ends, the USWNT star will also feature in her fourth and final woman’s World Cup.

Megan Rapinoe calls herself a ‘brash’ athlete, a trait that the Americans favor

Throughout her career, Rapinoe has been quite a strong presence in every dressing room. Undoubtedly, she is a natural team leader and her traits are visible off the pitch too. She has bravely fought against ‘inequality’ between men and women’s soccer. She was one of the main names behind convincing the US Soccer Board to agree to offer equal contracts to players, despite their gender.

In short, Rapinoe has always fought for what she thought was right. Recently, she appeared on TIME for an exclusive chat. During the interview, she spoke about several aspects of her career, including Donald Trump’s presence. Rapinoe also seemed convinced that she had close to no haters. She quoted, “I’m exactly what they’re familiar and comfortable with, just packaged up differently”.

“But I’m exactly the brash, arrogant athlete that Americans love”, Rapinoe concluded. Interestingly, she used the word ‘brash’. Not exactly brash but Megan Rapinoe had certain beliefs and she was ready to risk everything to prove herself right. A prime example is the death threats that she received from her Subway commercial after taking a knee multiple times to strive toward racial inequality.

READ MORE: “Thank You.. Captain America” – 13 Days Before World Cup, ‘Voice of the Voiceless’ Megan Rapinoe’s Shock Retirement Decision Shakes Up American Soccer Scene

A few days ago, the soccer veteran set a retirement date for her career as a player, and it was quite an emotional goodbye.

Megan Rapinoe’s retirement statement to the fanbase

The USWNT legend announced that she would retire after the current season ends. She wrote, “It is with a deep sense of peace & gratitude that I have decided this will be my final season playing this beautiful game. I never could have imagined the ways in which soccer would shape & change my life forever, but by the look on this little girl’s face, she knew all along”.

Funnily, she also posted a picture of her younger self. Apart from the emotional outburst from fans, quite a few big names including President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris also thanked her for her priceless contributions. Her final aim will undoubtedly be to add another World Cup medal to her collection of two World Cups and an Olympic gold medal.

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What do you think about Megan Rapinoe’s take on having no haters? Let us know in the comments below.