The recently concluded 2019 Ballon D’Or ceremony that highlighted the first week of December was something close to a marvel. Hence the greatest and iconic figures in the football world were put on a ballot box and votes cast. The likes of Lionel Messi and Megan Rapinoe emerged and scooped the awards in the male and female categories, respectively. A stipulated award ceremony criterion was a spice of sportsmanship and the showoff of exemplary skillsets. However, Megan Rapinoe saw it as an opportunity to strip the wolf of the sheep’s clothing. The Ballon D’Or winner Megan Rapinoe calls out influential footballers like Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo. She wanted them to take their stand on matters to do with the current football culture.
Inequalities and Racism
Megan Rapinoe always sees the spotlight as a platform to voice an opinion on current world issues. She feels like most elite football figures in the sport only think of themselves. They are not quick to use such spotlights to enlighten and empower issues affecting the football world. Issues such as inequality are still on downplay to avoid the sexism and racism talks.
The Ballon D’Or winner Megan Rapinoe calls out influential footballers like Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic for assistance. She wanted them to help her voice the issue of inequality in the football world. Megan believes that the trio superstars have a global scale recognition and would be easy to pass across a powerful message.
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She further narrates that their fear of losing out through expressing their opinions is a non-issue. Megan Rapinoe believes that no one would dare banish Christiano or Messi from the football arena. Thus they should be bold enough to step forward and help neutralize issues of sexism and racism. Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic seem to be the most comfortable in front of the camera in terms of off-field issues. They have moreover spoken on racial abuse at some point in the past.
Messi, however, seems to be keeping his sentiments to himself regarding the challenges other players face. On the issue of inequality, a presented input by Ibrahimovic will only portray a scripted mic performance. ESPN has Ibrahimovic on record, passing an opinion on women having equal opportunities in the football arena. Zlatan’s statement somehow seems sarcastic and demeaning to the women invested in sports.
Vital contradictions
Zlatan’s statement starts with him professing his respect to the women professionals in sports. He further acknowledges the impressive milestones they have managed to achieve. He then spoils the broth by implying that it is not even funny to compare the women’s football and men’s football. These sentiments, therefore, project a persona that might not value the importance of women football. Thus him trying to make a present opinion in support of women football would raise a lot of contradictions. It will face resentment due to his previous statement.
The Ballon D’Or winner Megan Rapinoe calls out influential footballers in a bid to neutralize the menaces promoting division in the sport. Both the male and female athletes participants involved in the sport deserve equal opportunities. It is regardless of their skin color, gender, and level of participation or involvement. The attention women get from cases of sexism and racism is gaining more support due to influential figures like Rapinoe. It is no longer a request but a right that every sports athlete embraces equal opportunities. It is through embracing such obstacles that the sport will be compellingly attractive to all interested parties.
