Introduction to the Controversy
The Norwegian broadcaster NRK recently stated that the decision regarding Ada Hegerberg, the captain of the women’s football team, is not just about her, but about what is best for Norway. According to NRK, Hegerberg did not play well enough at the European Championship in Switzerland to justify a place in the first team, suggesting that alternatives are better.
Public Opinion
Most Norwegians seem to agree with this assessment. In an online survey conducted by NRK with around 20,000 participants, 75% favored not having Hegerberg in the starting lineup for the Norway quarter-finals against Italy.
Ada Hegerberg’s Achievements
Ada Hegerberg is one of the biggest stars in women’s football. In 2018, she became the first winner of the Ballon d’Or Féminin. She is the top scorer of the Champions League with 66 goals and has won numerous titles, including the Champions League and French League titles, since moving to Olympique Lyon in 2014.
Recent Performance
However, Hegerberg’s recent performance has not been as impressive. Last season, she was mostly used as a substitute for Lyon and only scored seven goals, a significant decline from her previous seasons where she scored over 50 goals in all competitions.
National Team Career
Hegerberg made her first appearance for Norway in 2011 at the age of 16 and has scored 50 goals for the team. She withdrew from the national team in 2017, partly in protest against the lower bonuses paid to female national team players compared to their male colleagues. She returned in 2022 after a positive discussion with the new President of the Norwegian Football Association.
Fight for Equality
Hegerberg has been a vocal advocate for greater equality in women’s football. She demanded that the Norwegian Football Association make the same payment for the national teams of women and men. According to the NFF, around 70,500 female footballers are currently registered, accounting for 27.6% of active players in Norway.
Continuing the Fight
Hegerberg continues to fight for greater equality in women’s football. She believes that there are still many prejudices to overcome and that it helps when they perform well. Her own performance has been under scrutiny during the Euro 2025 tournament, with the national coach Gemma Grainger putting her on the bench in the final group phase game against Iceland.
Reaction to Criticism
Hegerberg remains calm in the face of criticism, stating that she takes it in stride and that a little fuss is okay. Her coach, Gemma Grainger, has demonstratively supported her, saying that she gives her everything for the team and that she is very satisfied with her performance.
