Megan Rapinoe is criticized for claiming ‘equal pay’ was her favorite memory of international soccer after leaving the USWNT at the World Cup
Megan Rapinoe has been criticized for saying fighting for “equal pay” was her favorite memory of playing for the US women’s national team – despite leading the team to two titles.
The 38-year-old made her final World Cup appearance on Sunday, as the US lost to Sweden in the quarter-finals after missing a penalty in a shootout.
When asked what she will remember most about her time in football, she replied that it was “probably (the) equal pay chants after the final” in 2019.
That comment has sparked criticism online, with one man saying it’s like telling my boss that my favorite memory of working at the company was promotions and pay raises.
After the United States lost to Sweden in the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup on Sunday, a tearful Megan Rapinoe said she will remember the fight for equal pay the most
Over the course of her career, Rapinoe led the U.S. women’s soccer team to two World Cup victories. She is pictured here with the Golden Boot and Golden Ball in 2019
Rapinoe took a tearful look back at her career after Sunday’s loss to Sweden and spoke of the moment when fans chanted “equal pay, equal pay” during the US’s 2-0 win over the Netherlands in 2019.
She said on Sunday she believes the equal pay campaign “changed the world forever.”
Rapinoe told FOX Sports that moment stood out to her in particular, saying, “I think this team has always fought for so much more, and that has been the most rewarding part for me.
“Obviously, playing the World Cup and winning championships and all that, but to know that we used our really special talent to do something that really changed the world forever, I think that’s the most important thing for me means,” she said. said.
“The players in this locker room here are just getting started,” Rapinoe added, “all the players I’ve worked with clearly know what it’s like to be in a rut. That’s the best thing.’
Video of that press conference has now been widely shared online, with many criticizing the soccer star for her comments, while others defended her.
“Megan is a LOSER and a disgrace to our country,” one Twitter user wrote. “If she focused on kicking the ball instead of social activism, she could really be someone.”
Many online criticized the soccer star for her comments, while others defended her
Another lamented that Rapinoe “crying about ‘equal pay’ while also calling for men to take over women’s sports is the laugh of the century,” referring to Rapinoe’s calls for transgender women to compete on the women’s team.
And a third asked, “Now what, the WNBA wants equal pay with the NBA?” However, others supported Rapinoe.
One woman congratulated her on her “great” career, saying, “The true patriots of this country are behind you and the U.S. women’s soccer team.
“We thank you for everything you have done for women’s football, equal pay and equal rights,” Anne-Marie Hainer wrote. “We look forward to what you will do in the future.”
Another Twitter user also suggested that “men are under so much pressure that she fought for equal pay.”
“Have you seen the USMNT and how badly they play?” she asked. ‘Women also earn the same wages as their male colleagues.’
Rapinoe’s career came to a tragic end when she missed a penalty against Sweden on Sunday
Rapinoe reacts to the photo after realizing she missed the crucial shot
USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe was one of three American stars to miss their penalty kick
Rapinoe’s career came to an end on Sunday after missing the fourth US penalty kick.
Her ensuing smile and laughter — which was slammed down on social media by American fans — no doubt masked an inner pain because it wasn’t meant to end that way after a career of great service. “This is like a sick joke,” Rapinoe later said. “I’m like, this is dark comedy. I missed a penalty kick.’
She was later criticized online by former President Donald Trump, who led a chorus of conservative voices in criticizing the soccer star.
“The ‘shocking and totally unexpected’ loss of the US women’s soccer team to Sweden is completely symbolic of what is happening to our once great nation under Crooked Joe Biden,” Trump wrote on social media.
Many of our players were openly hostile to America – No other country behaved like this, or even close.
‘WAKE UP IS EQUALS TO FAIL.
Nice shot Megan, the US is going to hell!!! MAGA.’
Rapinoe later responded to the comments, saying, “It’s a very sad dig in an old bag.
“I’m like, ‘Do you wish people to do bad things?’ Yuck.’