After scoring the first of two goals against France last week, US footballer Megan Rapinoe ran to the corner of the pitch to celebrate. The pink-haired midfielder assumed a Gladiator-esque power pose: standing with her arms open and head up, looking deservedly pleased with herself. Looking confident and defiant, the image struck a chord with thousands and, in that moment, she became the face of the Women’s World Cup. In other words: Rapinoe scored, and the world went wild.

A spotlight has also shone on Rapinoe off the pitch. Asked whether she would go to the White House if the US won the tournament, the footballer wasted no time in giving an expletive-laden retort. In response, President Trump tweeted: “Megan should never disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag, especially since so much has been done for her & the team.” But Rapinoe stood her ground – though she apologised for swearing, because it upset her mother – and hit back: “Because I'm as talented as I am, I get to be here, you don't get to tell me if I can be here or not.”

A staunch activist and self-described “walking protest” against the Trump administration, Rapinoe is a gifted player who realises her potential to effect change and isn’t afraid to use her platform to speak up. Not one to shy away from making her politics known, or ruffle feathers at the White House, Rapinoe previously made waves by taking the knee in support of the NFL’s Colin Kaepernick and the Black Lives Matter movement in 2016.

After coming out following the Women’s World Cup in 2011, she decided to use her sexuality to advocate for LGBT+ rights. “I feel like sports in general are still homophobic, in the sense that not a lot of people are out,” she told Out magazine in 2012. “I feel everyone is really craving [for] people to come out. People want – they need – to see that there are people like me playing soccer for the good ol’ US of A.”

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Her time in the spotlight comes amid a huge rise for women’s football. Two decades after the World Cup tournament which propelled the women’s game into mainstream consciousness, FIFA said ticket sales were “smashing records”. With the semi finals and finals, held at France’s Stade de Lyon, selling out within 48 hours of going on sale, there are more eyes on the game than ever. Whether you credit societal change via the MeToo movement or heavyweight sponsors finally putting their money where their mouth is, change, it seems, is coming – if it isn't already here.

Accidentally or not, Rapinoe has become a global figurehead for women’s football at a pivotal moment for the game, and what a woman for the job. A force for good, who uses her heart and her head on and off the pitch, football needs more players like her. Whoever you’re backing in the final, this is a player every fan can – and should – get behind. I’ll certainly be cheering her on.