United States forward Megan Rapinoe has echoed Serena Williams' comments on equal pay amid the Women's World Cup winners' ongoing fight for parity with the men's team.
Rapinoe scored the opening goal as USA beat Netherlands 2-0 in the World Cup final to retain its title during a tournament where the 34-year-old became a global icon.
The attacker also had a war of words with US president Donald Trump during the tournament in France after saying she was "not going to the f****** White House".
American players have been embroiled in an argument over equal pay with governing body U.S. Soccer for many years.
READ | Women’s World Cup over, fight on to level the paying field
After losing the Wimbledon final to Simona Halep on Saturday, tennis great Williams bristled at a suggestion she should scale back her efforts to fight equal pay in order to concentrate on matching Margaret Court's record of 24 grand slam singles titles.
And Rapinoe, speaking in an interview on NBC on Sunday, backed her fellow American and insisted she will also not be changing her outspoken approach.
"You know what? I'm gonna fight for equal pay every day, for myself, for my team, and for every single person out there," said Rapinoe.
"Man, woman, immigrant, US citizen, person of colour, whatever it may be. 'Equal pay,' as the great Serena Williams said, 'til I'm in my grave'."
Rapinoe also said she stands by her White House comments and still has no intention of celebrating the USA's championship with President Donald Trump because of his message that "excludes a lot of people."
"It excludes people that look like me and are me, of course," Rapinoe explained. "I think he's trying to divide so he can conquer, not unite so we can all conquer."
ALSO READ | Megan Rapinoe keeps pay-gap conversation going on 'GMA'
Rapinoe, whose partner is basketball player Sue Bird, also defended her previous comments on Trump when asked what she would say to her fans who support the president and believe she should go to the White House.
She added: "I would try to share our message. Do you believe that all people are created equal? Do you believe that equal pay should be mandated?
"Do you believe that everyone should have health care? Do you believe that we should treat everyone with respect? Those are the basics of what we're talking about.
"I understand people feel upset or uncomfortable. There's feelings of disrespect about the anthem protest or things that I've said in the past. Ultimately, I am here, open and honest.
"I've admitted mistakes. I will continue to do that. I'll continue to be vulnerable and be honest and open and have that conversation."
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