Interesting facts about 2019 Ballon d'Or Féminin winner Megan Rapinoe
What's the story
Megan Rapinoe of the United States women's national soccer team (USWNT) created history on Monday after she became the second-ever woman to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or Féminin (honoring the best woman football player over the year). As she continues to scale greater heights in the sport, we take a look at some of the interesting facts about her.
Olympic gold
She has won an Olympic gold
While she has had immense success with the United States women's national soccer team (USWNT), it is to be noted that besides the regular national tournaments, she also holds an Olympic gold for the same. It was during the 2012 London Olympics where the US beat Japan 2-1 in the final, while she went on to score three goals during the tournament.
ESPY Award
She also won the ESPY Award
The ESPY Award, organized by ESPN, is one of the most prestigious sports awards in the US. Megan has one to her name, for the Best Play of the Year, for her role during the 2011 FIFA World Cup. It was during the quarter-final against Brazil when she came up with a beautiful assist for Abby Wambach, as the latter scored the equalizer.
USSF lawsuit
Megan led a lawsuit against the United States Soccer Federation
In one of the bold moves made by Megan, she had led a lawsuit against the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), accusing them of gender discrimination. "There's such an incredible movement around women happening right now, though it's not quick enough. There's still so much tension and push-back, whether it's racial issues or gender issues or pay disparity," she had said earlier this year.
Open lesbian
First lesbian to appear in Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition
In another bold admission, Megan had openly stated in 2012 that she was lesbian. This year, she became the first lesbian to feature as the cover model in the Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition, along with her national team-mate Alex Morgan. She, along with her partner Sue Bird, also appeared on the cover of the 2018 ESPN's Body Issue as the first same-sex couple.
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She had her face featured in a corn maze
Having played three World Cups and winning two, Megan has surely become a legendary figure in the US. As a result, her face was also featured in a corn maze, in 2015, at the Hawes Farm in Anderson, California, as Megan applauded the idea.