“They Probably Don’t Want to Hear It” – Megan Rapinoe, Who Urged Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to ‘Speak Out’, Discussed Raising Concerns on Important Issues

Last year USWNT star Megan Rapinoe joined ‘The Hang-Out with Pernille and Magda’ on Sky Sports. We know Rapinoe for her outspoken nature on concerning issues. She shared her thoughts on how she uses the biggest stages to speak out. Two-time World Cup champion’s powerful speech at the 2019 Ballon d’Or ceremony urging star soccer players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to speak on issues like racism in soccer. 

The hosts of ‘The Hang-Out’ were the Chelsea soccer players Pernille Harder and Magda Eriksson. Both came out during the 2019 Women’s World Cup, taking inspiration from Rapinoe. Rapinoe left a long-lasting impression on the Chelsea players. As a result, they invited their role model for their first episode of the hang-out. 

Megan Rapinoe wants to use a big stage to convey her message

Rapinoe’s speech after winning the Ballon d’Or in 2019 impressed the Chelsea duo. They asked the USWNT star about how she prepares and what her thoughts were while speaking right in front of a vast crowd. Rapinoe elaborated, saying she doesn’t think how the audience will react and wants to use the big stages like the Ballon d’Or ceremony to share her message of change. 

“I am ready to have the kind of right thing or enough of right things to say. But definitely in a big room like that, I am like they probably don’t want to hear it but they’re probably kind of expecting to hear it a little bit,” Rapinoe added. 

The USWNT star further added, “I feel like I’d be letting myself down if I didn’t say those things. I don’t care that much what those people think. I care about the kid who’s 13 and crying themselves to sleep every night. It sounds dramatic, but that’s really what I think about.”

The Chelsea duo shared their experience of the days when they decided to come out and make their relationship public. It was a hard situation for them to share the news with their families, friends, fans, and co-athletes. However, they credited coming out publically to the USWNT star’s inspiration, sharing the reactions from fans and family after the news. 

The USWNT star urged Cristiano Ronaldo to speak out in 2019

Megan Rapinoe won the FIFA Ballon d’Or for her heroics in 2019. It was during her interview with France Football, Rapinoe said, “I want to shout: ‘Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, help me!’ These big stars do not engage in anything when there are so many problems in men’s football. Do they fear losing everything? They believe that, but it is not true. Who will erase Messi or Ronaldo from world football history for a statement against racism or sexism?”

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She felt that the fight against racism issues will gain big momentum if popular male soccer stars start raising it. Rapinoe is still fighting for such issues after winning a lawsuit with her teammates against US Soccer for equal pay. The progressive star also raised big concerns over the NWSL abuse reports. 

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Let us know your thoughts on the views of Megan Rapinoe during her speech at the 2019 Ballon d’Or ceremony.