Megan Rapinoe hypes NWSL star’s award win despite eligibility test controversy


Former American women’s soccer player Megan Rapinoe defended Barbra Banda, who was named the BBC’s Women’s Footballer of the Year despite controversy over the player’s eligibility in Africa.

Banda withdrew from the Zambian squad for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after failing to meet gender requirements in 2022, the BBC previously reported. Banda participated in the Olympic Games in Paris and became the second top scorer in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) this season, playing for the Orlando Pride.

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Megan Rapinoe looks on

Megan Rapinoe attends the women’s gold medal match between France and USA at the Paris Olympics on August 11, 2024. (Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Despite the reported that he was ineligibleBanda was still declared the winner of the award, while the inclusion of transgender people in women’s sports has become a hot topic in the US and abroad.

Rapinoe spoke out in a post on her now expired Instagram Stories.

“You have excited, entertained and inspired us and the world all year long,” Rapinoe wrote via Goal.com on Friday. “This is so deserved, just like every bit of your success. You stand so much bigger than the little people who try to tear you down.”

The 2024 season with the Pride was the first for Banda, who scored 13 goals in 22 games.

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Barbara Banda in 2023

Barbra Banda of Zambia celebrates after scoring against Costa Rica during the FIFA Women’s World Cup at Waikato Stadium on July 31, 2023 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Hannah Peters – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Orlando was 18-6-2 and won the NWSL Championship for the first time in league history. Banda scored the only goal in the match.

Rapinoe is a fierce advocate for LGBTQ rights and trans inclusion in women’s sports.

She said in July 2023 she would support a transgender female player on the U.S. women’s national team.

“Absolutely,” she told Time Magazine last year. “‘You’re taking the place of a ‘real’ woman,’ that’s the part of the argument that’s still extremely transphobic. I see trans women as real women. What you automatically say in the argument – you kind of pass on yourself – don’t you believe these people are women?

Megan Rapinoe in 2020

Megan Rapinoe of Team United States during the match against Australia at the Tokyo Olympics on July 27, 2021 in Kashima, Japan. (Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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‘That’s why they take the other spot. I don’t have that feeling.’

Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

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