In recent years, Megan Rapinoe has been pivotal to the success of the USWNT. Arguably, her best year for the USWNT was 2019. Her outstanding performances for her country at the World Cup advanced her name and fame over the others for the Ballon d’Or.

However, she didn’t have the same impact at the club level. That’s when the entire controversy around her winning the prestigious award started. Many fans, soccer pundits, and critics believed that many more soccer players with better numbers for the season could have won the award.

Let’s have a look at the USWNT legend’s journey that led her to win the Ballon d’Or in 2019.

Why did Megan Rapinoe receive the Ballon d’Or in 2019?

Without a doubt, Megan Rapinoe has been a prime contributor to women’s soccer across the globe. The judges’ panel for the award judged the winner on the basis of individual and collective performances, the player’s class and conduct, including fair play, and the player’s career. Rapinoe wasn’t the topmost candidate for all three categories.

However, her overall contribution in terms of leading her national side to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup was given special importance.

Rapinoe’s season for her club, OL Reign FC, was not the best. She failed to record any goals or have assists that season. The USWNT legend managed to start only six games because of injury niggles and the timing of the World Cup clashing with the domestic season. The fans were bemused because many other players managed to rack up better all-round performances for their club and country.

Hence, they felt that the award had better deserving candidates other than Rapinoe. Undeniably, the judges’ panel still awarded the Ballon d’Or to Megan Rapinoe. This was specifically for her six vital goals during the 2019 World Cup. The USWNT legend scored four straight goals during the campaign and helped the USWNT beat Spain and France. She also scored the only goal during the World Cup final.

Apart from the above, her contribution towards equal pay and gender equality in soccer is commendable in itself.

Other players who were nominated for the award alongside Megan Rapinoe

Here is the list of the 19 additional players that were nominated for the 2019 Ballon d’Or Award.

Megan Rapinoe’s incredible performance at the 2019 World Cup

The 2019 World Cup was Megan Rapinoe’s best-ever World Cup campaign. She scored a total of six goals throughout the campaign. All her goals came at match-defining moments during games. Rapinoe single-handedly carried the USWNT team through the quarterfinal against France. She also scored the only goal during the World Cup final. The USWNT legend was not short of her own heroic moments for her country in 2019.

Tied with her teammate Alex Morgan, Rapinoe also became the top scorer of the tournament. She won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball for her incredible display of leadership and soccer during the World Cup.

Some of the best goals by Rapinoe that led her to the 2019 Ballon d’Or title

Her most iconic goal and goal celebration were against France in the quarterfinal of the 2019 Women’s World Cup. Megan Rapinoe made the USWNT’s win against France look like a cakewalk. She scored two goals during that clash. After the second goal, she outstretched her arms in the air in a ‘V’ shape.

Her facial expressions and body language signaled that the USWNT legend already knew they’d won the game and possibly the World Cup, too.

Megan Rapinoe’s acceptance speech on the Ballon d’Or stage

It was a close contest between England’s Lucy Bronze, fellow USWNT legend Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe for the award. Here is Rapinoe’s acceptance speech after she was announced the winner.

“I want to say congratulations to the other nominees. I can’t believe I’m the one winning it and women’s football is lucky to have these players. Thanks to my teammates for all the support. You allow me to be who I am on the field and the person I am off of it. There is not enough thank yous in the world for all that you guys do for me”, as transcribed by the Guardian.

READ MORE: Know More About Megan Rapinoe’s Siblings: Identical Twin Sister and Elder Brother Who Suffers From Drug Abuse

Who are Rapinoe’s other USWNT teammates that won the notable award?

Megan Rapinoe is the only USWNT women’s star to win the award. The inaugural edition of this award was held in 2018. Without a doubt, there will be many more winners from the USWNT in the next few years, keeping in mind the rich soccer talent in the country.

WATCH THIS STORY: Serena Williams’ and Natalie Portman’s Success With ACFC Inspires Another Female-Led Group to Invest in Women’s Soccer

What are your thoughts on Megan Rapinoe controversially winning the Ballon d’Or in 2019? Let us know in the comments below.