Rapinoe’s determination to leave America appears to stem from a confluence of personal and professional exasperations. Her recent remarks convey a profound sense of disenchantment with the American milieu, especially in relation to the treatment and respect she believes she has been accorded. The phrase “no respect” intimates a more comprehensive dissatisfaction with how she perceives the reception of herself and her advocacy undertakings in her native land.
The timing of Rapinoe’s announcement is momentous. In recent times, her outspoken perspectives on social and political matters have frequently pitted her against certain factions of the public and even some institutions. From her critique of the U.S. Soccer Federation’s approach to gender equality issues to her stances on diverse social justice causes, Rapinoe has habitually found herself at the epicenter of controversies. While many have extolled her for her valor and commitment, others have taken issue with her outspoken demeanor and the manner in which she has exploited her platform.