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Who is Ada Hegerberg? Women’s Ballon d’Or 2018 winner but missing from the Women’s World Cup
The Norwegian striker was one of seven Lyon players nominated for the first Women's Ballon D'Or award
ADA HEGERBERG won the first ever Women's Ballon D'Or but will NOT be at the 2019 World Cup.
It was announced in February that the Lyon striker had chosen not be involved in Denmark's games - here is all you need to know.
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Who is Ada Hegerberg?
Ada Martine Stolsmo Hegerberg is a Norwegian professional footballer who is a striker at Division 1 Feminine club Olympique Lyonnais.
She started her career at local club Kolbotn in 2010 and aged just 16 became the club's top goalscorer in 2011.
After spending time at Norwegian club Stabaek, Hegerberg signed a contract with German side FFC Turbine Potsdam and scored in her Bundesliga debut against SC Freiburg.
After one season in the German top flight, the striker signed for Lyon in 2014 scoring 26 goals in her first season with the club.
At the age of 15, she was part of the Norwegian under-19 team which reached the final of the 2011 Women's U-19 Championship.
Hegerberg made her full international debut in 2011 and has made 66 appearances for her national side.
In 2015 she was awarded the Norwegian Gold Ball, given to the best footballer in Norway.
She was the first woman to win the award in 20 years.
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Why is she not part of the Norway squad for the Women's World Cup?
In February 2019, Norway coach Martin Sjogren ruled Hegerberg out of the squad for the World Cup.
The Lyon striker has declined to play for Norway since they were knocked out of the Euros in 2017 without scoring a goal.
Hegerberg believes there is a lack of respect for female players in Norway.
Speaking at the time, Sjogren said: "We tried to solve it, we had meetings, but she decided not to play.
"As a coach, you need to focus on the players who want to be a part of the team and Ada doesn't.
"We respect that and we have been working hard with the other players and they have been doing a great job."
How many times has she won the Champions League?
Since moving to Lyon, Hegerberg has lifted a number of trophies with the club - and the Champions League three times.
Her first Champions League win came in the 2015-16 season when Lyon beat Wolfsburg on penalties after the game finished 1-1 after extra time.
The Lyon striker scored for her side on 12 minutes but was the only player who failed to score her penalty for the club in the shootout.
Hegerberg was the top goalscorer in the competition that season.
Lyon successfully defended their title in 2016-17 in Cardiff against Paris St Germain.
The game went to penalties for a second year in a row after a 0-0 draw but Hegerberg was not involved after being substituted on the hour mark.
Last season, Lyon secured their third consecutive title and once again Hegerberg was the top goalscorer in the competition.
The game finished 0-0 but in extra time, Lyon went on to beat Wolfsburg 4-1 with Hegerberg scoring their third goal of the game in Kiev.
And in December 2018 she became the first ever Women's Ballon d'Or winner.
Awards
- Norwegian Women's Cup with Stabaek: Winner 2012
- Division 1 Feminine: Winner 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17
- Coupe de France: Winner 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17
- Uefa Women's Champions League: Winner 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
- Uefa Best Women's Player in Europe: 2016
- Norwegian Sportsperson of the Year: 2016
- FIFPro: FIFA FIFPro World XI: 2016
- BBC Women's Footballer of the Year: 2017
- Women's Ballon d'Or: 2018
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What was the twerking controversy?
At the 2018 Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris, Hegerberg was presented with the trophy by Solveig.
But after Kylian Mbappe did a dance to celebrate winning the Kopa Trophy for young players, the French DJ asked the Norwegian to perform a similar celebration, asking her if she could twerk.
An embarrassed Hegerberg simply said no and walked off the stage with an awkward smile, while Mbappe was also filmed in the audience looking shocked.
Solveig was blasted for sexism after the event with Andy Murray leading the charge.
The British tennis star wrote on Instagram: "Another example of the ridiculous sexism that still exists in sport. ‘Why do women still have to put up with that sh*t?
"What questions did they ask [Kylian] Mbappe and [Ballon d'Or winner Luka] Modric? I’d imagine something to do with football.
"And to everyone who thinks people are overreacting and it was just a joke.. it wasn’t.
"I’ve been involved in sport my whole life and the level of sexism is unreal."
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Who is her sister Andrine?
Elder sister Andrine is also a footballer and after starting out at the same three clubs - Kolbotn, Stabaek and FFC Turbine Potsdam, the midfielder moved to Swedish side Kopparbergs.
She signed for FA WSL club Birmingham City on June 15, 2016.
They reached the final of the Women's FA Cup in 2017 where they were beaten by Manchester City at Wembley.
Presenter Martin Solveig apologises for asking Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg to twerk
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