Megan Rapinoe clearly wasn't a fan of a young USWNT player sharing anti-LGBTQ content or liking posts that mocked the Achilles injury that ended her career. Especially when that player demands his jersey number.
The two-time World Cup winner issued a scathing statement in apparent response to the social media activity of Corbin Albert, the 20-year-old Paris Saint-Germain midfielder who took to the field for the USWNT wearing Rapinoe's No. 15 last month. .
Albert, who played two seasons at Notre Dame before turning pro in France, received attention this week when fans noticed she reposted group For anti-LGBTQ content On her Tik Tok account. Single fan Also noticed Albert had liked a post in which he joked that God had caused Rapinoe to hurt her ankle in her farewell match last year.
Rapinoe didn't hold back on her Instagram Story. She didn't mention Albert by name, but wondered if she had made any space safer or more inclusive:
“For people who want to hide behind my beliefs, I would just ask one question,” she wrote, “Do you make any kind of space safer, more inclusive, more perfect, any semblance of the best, and bring out the best in anyone?” .
“Because if you're not, all you believe in is hate. And kids are literally killing themselves because of this hate. Wake up TF!”
“To all my trans friends who endure this horrific treatment day after day, I see you, I hear you, and I am with you.”
Longtime USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn endorsed the message in her own story, writing, “Well said, @mrapinoe.”
Albert issued a statement on her Instagram Story hours after Rapinoe's post, which was posted shortly before PSG's 3-0 win over BK Häcken. Albert apologized for liking and sharing the “offensive, insensitive and hurtful” posts, and vowed to do better:
I want to sincerely apologize for my actions on social media. Liking and sharing offensive, insensitive and hurtful posts was immature and disrespectful, which was never my intention.
I am very disappointed in myself and I sincerely apologize for the hurt I caused to my teammates, other players, fans, friends and anyone who was offended.
I truly believe that everyone should feel safe and respected everywhere and on all playing fields. I know my actions did not live up to that and for that I sincerely apologize. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to play this sport on the world stage, and I promise to do better.
Rapinoe's farewell match was a brutal end to an accomplished and influential career. The midfielder left the field in tears after suffering a non-contact injury and had to begin her retirement by undergoing surgery.
Albert was one of the young players who would replace Rapinoe in the next generation of the USWNT, and he recently helped the team win the Gold Cup title. There's no doubt she has a bright future, but she's now facing some uncomfortable questions so early in her career.
“Food ninja. Friendly thinker. Explorer. Entrepreneur. Zombie junkie.