Megan Rapinoe never shies away from calling out anti-LGBTQ actions and beliefs. And recently, she turned her attention to posts surfaced by Korbin Albert, the 20-year-old midfielder now wearing Rapinoe's No. 15 with the U.S. Women's National Team.
Albert reposted and liked posts on TikTok that were widely criticized as being anti-LGBTQ, including a video of a sermon in which someone claims to have been saved by God from "feeling transgender," among others. Rapinoe took notice of the posts, and though she did not directly mention Albert, she later confirmed they were directed at the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder.
"For people who want to hide behind 'my beliefs,' I would just ask one question, are you making any type of space safer, more inclusive, more whole, any semblance of better, bringing the best out of anyone," Rapinoe wrote in her story, per Yahoo Sports. "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. For all my trans homies enduring this horrific treatment day in and day out, I see you and hear you and I am WITH YOU."
The Athletic reached out to Rapinoe, who said the post was directed at Albert but was also focusing on queer lives at stake by either anti-trans commentary or targeted legislation.
Albert issued an apology on her Instagram for liking and sharing the posts.
"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," Albert said. "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 on this world stage and I promise to do better."
Albert was called up to the senior U.S. Women's National Team in November 2023, and selected to wear the No. 15, the number previously worn by Rapinoe before her retirement. She has played for Paris Saint-Germain since January 2023, when she left Notre Dame with two years left of collegiate eligibility.
Korbin Albert posts
Albert reposted several posts that were later re-circulated online that were largely anti-LGBTQ.
Among other anti-LGBTQ posts, Albert also appeared to like a post on Instagram (since deleted) that joked God caused Rapinoe to be injured during her final game.
According to The Athletic, Albert also posted a video to her TikTok over the Fourth of July in 2023 that features her and her family saying "their pronouns and U.S.A." The post has since been deleted.
