United States women’s national team midfielder Korbin Albert was forced to apologize last week after sharing a Christian sermon that the radically liberal Megan Rapinoe claimed was anti-LGBTQ.
Albert Apologizes
“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions on social media. Liking and sharing posts that are offensive, insensitive and hurtful was immature and disrespectful which was never my intent,” Korbin Albert, 20, wrote on her Instagram Story, according to Daily Mail.
“I’m really disappointed in myself and am deeply sorry for the hurt that I have caused to my teammates, other players, fans, friends and anyone who was offended,” she continued. “I truly believe that everyone should feel safe and respected everywhere and on all playing fields.”
“I know my actions have not lived up to that and for that I sincerely apologize,” Albert concluded. “It’s an honor and a privilege to get to play this sport and on the world stage and I promise to do better.”
Related: Megan Rapinoe Says Playing For US Women’s Soccer Team Was ‘Worst Job In The World’
Rapinoe Sounds Off
This came after Rapinoe appeared to take a dig at Albert, though she did not mention her by name.
“To the people who want to hide behind ‘my beliefs’ I would just ask one question, are you making any time of space safer, more inclusive, more whole, any semblance of better, bringing the best out of anyone? … because if you aren’t all you believe in is hate,” Rapinoe said on her own Instagram Story. “And Kids are literally killing themselves because of this hate. Wake TF up! Yours Truly, #15.”
Albert, who is seen as a rising star on the U.S. women’s soccer team, had shared re-posts of a Christian worship space discussing how being gay and “feeling transgender” is wrong. She’d previously come under fire last summer for celebrating the Fourth of July by posting a video showing her family and saying “their pronouns are U.S.A.”
On top of that, Alpinoe had once “liked” an Instagram post that read “God taking time off performing miracles to make sure Megan Rapinoe sprains her ankle in her final ever game.”
Rapinoe tore her Achilles tendon in the 2023 NWSL Championship game in just the third minute before her team OL Reign lost to Gotham FC on penalty kicks. Albert currently wears the No. 15 jersey, which is the one Rapinoe wore with her time in the USWNT.
Related: Soccer Star Megan Rapinoe Cries, Says Fans Celebrating Her Injury Have A ‘Special Place In Hell’
Soccer Legend Defends Albert
Soccer legend Alexi Lalas, who played 96 times for the men’s team in the 1990s, took to social media on Friday to defend Albert.
“She apologized and she’s a talented young U.S. player with a bright future,” he wrote of Albert, according to The Mail. “But if there is some purity test for the #USWNT, I’d like to see it. Because, I’d like to add some questions.”
Lalas went on to share a highlight reel of Albert’s career, writing, “20-year-old Korbin Albert playing for PSG, part of a new young generation of #USWNT players. The future is bright.”
“If we needed all players to like, respect, and/or agree with everyone on their team, we’d never play a game. Players are ruthless…at least the good ones,” he stated. “Maybe she isn’t part of best collection of players. But that best collection is based on results.”
“You don’t have to like your teammates, you just have to believe they can do the job,” Lalas concluded. “Great players are ruthless. They compartmentalize, forgive, and/or forget in return for winning.”
Rapinoe has long been known for her radically liberal views, so it comes as no surprise that she would target a player simply for expressing her conservative beliefs. Here’s hoping that Albert will have the courage to stand by her conservative Christian beliefs moving forward.
