Ada Hegerberg: who is Norwegian footballer and why did she take an International break?

The Norwegian footballer Ada Hegerberg has been named in the Norway women’s national football team for the first time in five years.

She is widely regarded as one of the best female footballers in the world, but quit playing for her country because of a dispute with the Norwegian Football Federation over their treatment of women’s football in the country.

However, Martin Sjogren named the first ever Women’s Ballon d’Or winner in the Norwegian squad for the 2023 World Cup qualifiers against Kosovo and Poland which will take place next month.

Speaking on her return, Hegerberg said: “It feels incredibly good to be back. I will do my part to help us achieve great things, both on and off the field - for football, for Norway, but not least for the next generation.”

So who is the Norwegian footballer and why did she stop playing for her country?

Ada Hegerberg

Hegerberg is a 26-year-old forward who is currently playing for the French side Lyon. She was born in Molde, Norway and first started playing football for the Sunndal youth team.

In 2007, her family moved to Kolbotn and she played for the local team alongside her older sister, Andrine.

In August 2011, Hegerberg scored three goals in seven minutes as her side beat Roa 4-1. Aged 16, she was the youngest player to have scored a hat-trick in the Toppserien.

In 2013, Hegerberg signed a contract with the German side, FFC Turbine Potsdam. In her first season, her side finished second in the 2012-13 Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal.

In 2014, the Norwegian striker moved to Olympique Lyonnais and scored 26 goals in 22 league matches during her first season.

She has gone on to make 130 appearances for the French side and has scored a stunning 152 goals in the process.

In 2018, Hegerberg became the first ever winner of the Ballon d’Or Feminin.

Hegerberg has numerous other accolades she has been awarded over the years, including UEFA Best Women’s Player, Norwegian Sportsperson of the Year and BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.

The 26-year-old striker has been part of her national side since 2011, making over 60 appearances and scoring over 30 goals.

Why did Ada Hegerberg take a break from international football?

Hegerberg decided to take time away from her national side in 2017 after a perceived lack of respect for female players.

Previously, the striker spoke to the Norwegian newspaper Morgenbladet and football magazine Josimar, Hederberg saying: “It was tough at so many camps. I have been broken mentally.

“It has been a deeply depressing feeling. I had nightmares after being with the national team, you shouldn’t have things like that. If you want to get anywhere in life you have to make choices.

“Immediately the thought came into my mind - ‘I think I’ll have to stop playing for the national team. (Then) everything just ran off and I started to sleep well again.”

When are the UEFA Women’s Euros?

The Euros begin on 6 July 2022 and Norway are in the same group as England, Austria and Northern Ireland.

There will be 31 matches in total, as 16 countries bid to lift the trophy at Wembley Stadium on 31 July 2022.

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