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Women's Football Barcelona open to signing Megan Rapinoe

WORLD CUP winner Megan Rapinoe’s declaration that she could one day play in Spain has not gone unnoticed.

The 34-year-old Rapinoe was awarded Fifa player of the year last week for leading the US women’s national team to the World Cup title in July.

Rapinoe, whose six goals earned her the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer, told beIN SPORTS in an interview earlier this month that “maybe at the end of my career, I’ll get over to Spain.”

Rapinoe, who also won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s top player, said: “The way Barcelona plays … is so beautiful and inspiring. It’s just a joy to watch.”

She also praised Atletico and Real Madrid.

Since then Barcelona club official Maria Teixidor has said: “I believe we would be in position to sign this class of player,” while praising Rapinoe’s leadership on seeking equality for women players.

Barcelona newspaper La Vanguardia ran a story on Sunday claiming “Rapinoe dyes herself burgundy and blue” in reference to the club’s colours and the player’s dyed hair. Spanish sports daily AS speculated that Real Madrid, which is building up a women’s team for next season, could try to entice the United States star.

Women’s football in Spain has made strides. The league has a major energy company as a sponsor, and offers three games a week to broadcast on television. More than 60,000 people packed Atletico’s stadium in March to see the hosts lose 2-0 to Barcelona in what the league said was a world record for an attendance at a women’s club football match.

That said, its players are still fighting to get a guaranteed minimum salary for all 16 first-division clubs and to have a collective labour deal to protect their rights.

Rapinoe, who played for French club Lyon for one season before joining the Seattle Reign in 2013, has spoken out about the plight of women players compared with their extremely well-paid male counterparts.

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