Megan Rapinoe has called out Lionel Messi among others for their lack of public fighting for equal rights in football.
Rapinoe won the Women's Ballon d'Or on Monday and she called out a number of influential male footballers for their lack of action in the fight for equality.
The USA international told France Football per Indy100:
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"I want to shout: 'Cristiano (Ronaldo), Leo (Messi), Zlatan (Ibrahimovic) - help me!"
The 34-year-old's argument is that the trio are superstars on a global scale but aren't vocal about the issues in professional football.
"These big stars don't engage in anything when there are so many problems in football!
"Are they afraid of losing everything? They might believe that but it's not true... Who would banish Messi or Ronaldo from the football world for speaking out against racism or sexism?"
Messi is notoriously quiet when it comes to off-field matters but Ronaldo and Zlatan have spoken out against racial abuse in the past.
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But the latter did land himself in hot water back in 2013 after saying women's football cannot be compared to the men's game.
Zlatan told Expressen newspaper per ESPN:
"With all respect for what the ladies have done, and they've done it fantastically well, you can't compare men's and women's football. Give it up, it's not even funny,"
Rapinoe beat out Lucy Bronze and international teammate Alex Morgan for the award in Paris.
The World Cup winner also discussed if her award was given for her on pitch performance or for her passionate stance on politics off the pitch.
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"This Ballon d'Or rewards both. On the one hand, I am a very good footballer.
On the other hand, my action off the field attracts support because people understand that I'm trying to find solutions to the problems of society."
"I'm lucky to have some talent to lead. I don't fear the consequences, so I say what to say. I'm exhausted from travelling for conferences and meetings but, if things need to improve in our world, so be it on the front line."
She won the golden boot at this years Women World Cup as the USA clinched their fourth Women's World Cup.
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What do you make of Rapinoe's comments and do you think male footballers can make a difference?
Sound off in the comments below.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Football News, Football, Lionel Messi, Megan Rapinoe, Cristiano Ronaldo
