U.S. women’s national team captain Megan Rapinoe has urged male stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Ibrahimovic to do more to tackle issues on racism and sexism in modern football.
34-year-old Rapinoe won the female Ballon d’Or award– only the second in history — on Monday after winning the World Cup, Golden Boot and Golden Ball in July.
Speaking with organisers France Football after her Ballon d’Or victory, Rapinoe challenged Ronaldo, Messi and Ibrahimovic to follow her lead and be more active against problems in football.
“I want to shout: ‘Cristiano, Lionel, Zlatan, help me!'” she said. “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?”
Rapinoe helped the United States to its second World Cup title during her era with six goals and three assists, with one goal in the final and four more in the latter stages. She won the player of the match award in the final.
Megan Rapinoe believes her success this year rewards her achievements as a player but also as an activist in the sport.
“This Ballon d’Or rewards both,” she added. “On the one hand, I am a good player. On the other, my activity away from the pitch brings me support as people understand I am acting to find solutions to our society’s problems. The idea is to empower others to speak louder.”
Rapinoe recognised her privileged position to be at the forefront of tackling societal issues but conceding that it is taxing, and travelling has also taken its toll.
“I am lucky to have a bit of talent to lead these fights,” she said. “I have no fear, so I say what I say. Travelling all over for conferences and meetings exhausts me, but you have to be on the front line to improve things in our world.”
