WHY THE BEST STRIKER IN THE WORLD NO LONGER WANTED TO PLAY FOR HER NATIONAL TEAM

Ada Hegerberg is a professional player at Olympique Lyon, Norwegian national player and winner of Ballon d'Or “World Football Player of the Year”. At the age of 16, she was already the most successful striker in her former club.

After playing for Turbine Potsdam for 2 years, Ada moved to French champion Olympique Lyon in 2014, with whom she won the championship 6 times, the Cup 5 times, the Super Cup 1 time and the Champions League 6 times, including 2022. The now 26-year-old went through all Norwegian national youth teams, became runner-up in 2011 with the U19 and again with the senior national team in 2013.

“THE RESPECT WASN'T THERE”

Hegerberg did not participate in the World Championships in France. Not because she didn't qualify. Her team played too, but she didn't. In summer 2017, after 66 international matches, she ended her career with the national team. The reason for this and for their non-participation in the World Cup was a dispute with the Norwegian Football Association.

In protest against the lack of appreciation and unfair payment in women's soccer, she refrained from making further nominations. The NFF tried several times to change the top player's mind, but each time was unsuccessful. “It's about respect for women's soccer. I think the respect wasn't there,” she said.

THEIR UPRISING WAS SUCCESSFUL

Shortly after her resignation, the NFF was the first association in the world to decide to pay its women's and men's national teams equally. However, this was only possible because the Norwegian men's national team had forfeited some of their own bonuses.

But Hegerberg wasn't just about money. She wanted to professionalize women's soccer at all levels. “Football is the most popular sport in Norway for girls and boys and has been for years, but at the same time girls don't have the same opportunities as boys. We stopped talking about development and other countries have overtaken us,” she said The Guardian.

A PICTURE-BOOK COMEBACK

Five years later, Ada Hegerberg has a Dream Comeback given in the national team. She scored three goals in the World Cup qualifier against Kosovo in April. But she still stands by her decision back then. “I made a decision back then that I don't regret. But I've had plenty of time to think about many aspects of my life in recent years,” the striker emphasized on her return. She is pleased that she can now fight for the team and for equality at the same time. “I want to do my part to help us achieve our goals and inspire young girls and boys across the country.”

But will the position that Ada Hegerberg has taken also have an effect? Or will she simply be forgotten now that she is back?

We hope that Ada has sent a wake-up call to the whole world. And it is now up to the rest of us to make it memorable and effective. Let's make a change!