US Women’s team star player Megan Rapinoe has had a wonderful Women’s World Cup. While she is very happy about her showing and the team’s faring at the World Cup, she was visibly unhappy with FIFA, the Governing body of the sport.
Rapinoe felt that Men’s football is given importance and due while Women’s football plays second fiddle and FIFA isn’t much bothered about it or promoting it.
This year’s winnings for the women will total $30 million. The prize money for the 2018 men’s World Cup was $400 million. The amount to be given out at the Men’s World Cup in 2023 in Qatar is to $649 million. Though FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that FIFA will double the prize to $60 million for the next women’s World Cup in 2023, but this still doesn’t show any intent of parity between the two formats.
This made Rapinoe develop a feeling of FIFA not respecting Women’s football and it not being their focus.
Rapinoe has come under fire for her celebration that has a sense of attitude, but the American striker is unperturbed- “we work hard and play hard.“
Megan Rapinoe Unhappy with FIFA: She spoke highly about emotions in the game and even defended her teammate Alex Morgan, stating “I definitely think that’s part of it I think we have a particular lightness about us that maybe people take as aloofness or thinking that we’re too good or whatever,” she said. “I think so much of what we have to shoulder all of the time is heavy. It’s no secret that we’re the leaders in the women’s game in a lot of different issues – equality and pay equality, gender issues and just at large our team has been very open and very willing to get in any kind of equality fight.”
“So when we get the chance to play and showcase our skillset and be free on the field, we work hard and play hard. We think the game should be played with exuberance. The whole point of the game is to score a goal. I actually get on my teammates sometimes like you guys have got to pick your game, you can’t score a goal and be like, yeah, I scored a goal. It’s the whole point.“
Rapinoe went on to explain what a player goes through and feels and that they have every right to enjoy and make the most of the moment.
“I think that dynamic is playing a lot. Obviously, we have to take on a lot off the field. When we get our chance, especially at the World Cup, this comes every four years. Nothing is guaranteed. Some players might only play in one, you’re lucky if you get to play in multiple. This is the most incredible stage you can ever be on as a football player and we are going to enjoy it no matter what.“
Rapinoe won the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball for being the top scorer and best player at the World Cup.
