Soccer fans have slammed United States women’s national team midfielder Korbin Albert after an anti-LGBTQ+ social media post appeared on her TikTok account.
The now-deleted posts that Albert shared were from a Christian worship space and discussed how being gay and ‘feeling transgender’ is wrong.
Albert, who also plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France, has posted similar content on her profile before – including a now-deleted post on her TikTok account from Fourth of July weekend showing her family and saying ‘their pronouns are U.S.A.’
Former USWNT star and LGBTQ+ advocate Megan Rapinoe led, while not specifically mentioning Albert – the criticism of her on social media on Thursday.
Albert also previously ‘liked’ a post on Instagram that was revealed via a screencap of a meme that mocked Rapinoe for getting injured in her final-ever game last year.
Soccer fans have slammed United States women’s national team midfielder Korbin Albert
Fans slammed Albert in her Instagram comments with one saying it’s the ‘end of a career’
It read ‘God taking time off performing miracles to make sure Megan Rapinoe sprains her ankle in her final ever game’.
Fans have filled the comments on Albert’s pinned Instagram posts to criticize her, with one even claiming the controversy could be the ‘end of a career’.
One fan commented: ‘I think that was the fastest start and end of a career.’
Another added: ‘So unfortunate because I looked up to you as a trans man who loves soccer… do better’.
‘Megan Rapinoe has achieved more in soccer than you ever have or ever will, just FYI,’ wrote one user.
Another comment read: ‘It’s shocking and ridiculous that a grown woman who is supposed to be an inspiration for MILLIONS of her young female compatriots does not think twice before insulting innocent people who didn’t do anything to you.’
A furious fan added: ‘So disappointed you’d have those views about human beings and about one of the USWNT’s legends whose number you literally wear. But to voice it publicly then given an insincere apology… the young gen will be the ones to save this team but unfortunately you’re not part of that,’ finishing with a clown emoji.
Another demanded incoming manager Emma Hayes remove her from national team selection, commenting: ‘You no longer have my respect. Hopefully Emma Hayes will use your behavior as a reason to keep you off the USWNT.’
Megan Rapinoe (pictured with fiancee Sue Bird) led the criticism of Albert on social media
Rapinoe didn’t specifically name Albert, but challenged her to stop ‘hiding behind “my beliefs”‘
One fan commented that Albert’s posts completed ‘the fastest start and end of a career’
In a post to her Instagram story on Thursday night, Albert – aged 20 – wrote, ‘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.
‘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.
‘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.
‘It’s an honor and a privilege to get to play this sport and on the world stage and I promise to do better.’
The apology came in the aftermath of criticism from Rapinoe – who did not specifically name Albert in her Instagram story, but it’s widely believed that she was talking about those posts.
Rapinoe wrote: ‘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. And Kids are literally killing themselves because of this hate. Wake TF up! Yours Truly, #15.’
Albert, who plays club soccer for Paris Saint-Germain in France, is a rising star of the USWNT
Albert pictured with David Beckham and Kylian Mbappe while playing for PSG in France
She posted this apology to her Instagram story, where she acknowledged her ‘hurtful’ actions
Senior players within the USWNT shared Rapinoe’s post. USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn shared it with the caption ‘well said’ while other re-posts came from Lynn Williams, Kristie Mewis and now-retired midfielder Sam Mewis.
It’s a similar situation to the case of Jaelene Daniels (née Hinkle), whose outspoken anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs have seen her routinely passed up for the USWNT.
The women’s national team has long been supportive of LGBTQ+ rights – with many members of the squad at various times identifying with that demographic.
But the cases of Albert and Daniels are significantly different.
Daniels once declined to appear with the USWNT when they wore rainbow numbers on the back of their jerseys to celebrate Pride Month in 2017. Albert, contrastingly, has not declined a call-up to the team.
Since that 2017 incident, Daniels had received callups for the senior team – but her behavior continued, including when she sat out a Pride Match in 2022 for her club team, the North Carolina Courage.
