Megan Rapinoe Reacts To Controversial Kiss After Spain Won World Cup
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEELAND - JULY 22: Megan Rapinoe of USA looks on during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between USA and Vietnam at Eden Park on July 22, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Megan Rapinoe has never been shy about weighing in on controversial topics.
In a new interview with The Atlantic, Rapinoe was asked about Spain soccer president Luis Rubiales kissing national team member Jennifer Hermoso on the lips following Spain's 1-0 win over England in the Women's World Cup Final.
"It made me think about how much we are required to endure," Rapinoe said. "Think how much that Spanish team had to shoulder: Some of the players who stood up way back last year [to protest poor treatment by their coach and federation] still aren’t on the team. Maybe that was something that galvanized them, but you shouldn’t have to have that.
"There was another picture that signals such a deep level of misogyny and sexism in that federation and in that man [Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish soccer federation] at the final whistle, just grabbing his crotch. What kind of upside-down world are we in? On the biggest stage, where you should be celebrating, Jenni [Hermoso, the Spanish midfielder who was kissed by Rubiales] has to be physically assaulted by this guy."
Rubiales apologized for his actions this week following a firestorm of criticism.
Rapinoe, 38, finished her USWNT tenure at this year's World Cup. She missed a penalty in the Americans' shootout loss to Sweden in the Round of 16, a mistake the two-time World Cup champion called "a sick joke."
In addition to her comments on Rubiales' inappropriate kiss, Rapinoe also fired back at former President Donald Trump for his public criticism of the USWNT following their elimination.
