ATHLETE ACTIVIST ICON
Five minutes. That’s all Megan Rapinoe needed to make her statement. She did it without saying a single word. On a summer’s evening in Paris, the USA were playing France in a World Cup quarter-final. All eyes were on Rapinoe. In the previous round, she had scored both goals against Spain. Then, a video interview was released, filmed before the tournament. Asked if she’d accept an invite to the White House if the USA won the World Cup, Rapinoe’s reply was instant: “I’m not going to the f**king White House.” She’d been part of the squad that met Barack Obama after World Cup glory four years ago, but Donald Trump is not Barack Obama.
Within hours, Trump had hit back. “Megan should WIN first before she TALKS!” he said, in a rambling three-tweet rant.
How would Rapinoe respond against France? By scoring a free-kick within five minutes of kick-off, that’s how. Then by raising her arms aloft in an epic pose – reminiscent of Russell Crowe in Gladiator as he bellowed the words: ‘Are you not entertained?’
Rapinoe wasn’t going to be intimidated by anyone, not even the president of the United States. It was arguably one of the most iconic moments in the history of women’s football. In an instant, she had transcended the sport.
Described as “her generation’s Muhammad Ali”, she has spent years fighting for equality – kneeling for the national anthem in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, as she spoke out about racism and LGBTQ rights. Currently, she’s one of 28 players in a legal battle with US Soccer over equal pay for women – one that looks set for court in 2020.
She is also involved with the Common Goal movement, together with Juan Mata, Giorgio Chiellini, Jurgen Klopp, Eric Cantona, Eni Aluko and a growing list of figures
