“Fear Losing Everything?”: USWNT Star Megan Rapinoe Slammed Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for Being Ignorant to Injustice in Soccer World Back in 2019

The power each world-class athlete brings to the table is tremendous. They are some of the best in the world in influencing people and can change the whole mindset with their every word. For this reason, back in 2019, USWNT’s soccer sensation Megan Rapinoe called out the biggest soccer superstars in the world to involve in social issues. Racism and s*xism are still prevalent in the 21st century, and Rapinoe is very outspoken about these issues. 

Apart from being USWNT’s most notable player in the last decade or so, she is known to speak her mind out. She had a significant role in the call for equal pay for men and women and became revolutionary. Both, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are arguably the greatest and most notable soccer players of all time. Thus, she wanted the soccer stars to do what she had been doing and be prominent advocates in the matter of social issues. 

Megan Rapinoe calls out CR7 and Messi

In 2019, Megan won the female Ballon d’Or award for winning the World Cup, Golden Ball, and the Golden Boot. While speaking about her victory to the organizers of France Football, Rapinoe asked Ronaldo, Messi, and Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic to support her for social causes. She discussed how if these stars did speak up about such issues, it could create a significant change. 

“I want to shout: ‘Cristiano, Lionel, Zlatan, help me!’ These big stars do not engage in anything when there are so many problems in men’s football,” said Rapinoe. She continued, “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 s*xism?”

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Rapinoe mentioned how these players achieved fame at a very young age and got immersed. She said, “They grew up in a bubble because of their exceptional talents. They were cut off from the real world and had everything at 20.” These three players are the face of soccer throughout the world. Ronaldo is one of the most captivating influencers on Instagram as well, with over 477 million followers. Meanwhile, Messi has 358 million followers. 

Stand up and speak!

Rapinoe described herself as unhappy and disappointed with the current situation. She wants these star players to be ‘allies‘ while expressing how Ronaldo’s dialogue can help women’s soccer to reach extraordinary places. Rapinoe is one of the finest soccer players in the USA. But, her work in activism is well documented as well. 

She recently received the ‘Presidential Medal of Freedom’ for her work outside soccer. Possessing a no-fear attitude, she faces all the criticisms but ultimately fights against injustice. Having her at the forefront gives confidence to other players to step up and be counted. 

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