2019 FIFA WWC: Norway's Ballon d'Or winner Hegerberg pulls out of tournament, protests against lack of respect for female players

Norway and Olympique Lyonnais forward Ada Hegerberg. Winner of the 2018 Ballon d'Or - Getty

Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg will not be at the World Cup this summer after she pulled out of Norway's squad for the tournament in France.


The Lyon striker is taking a stand over a perceived lack of respect for female players and has not represented her country since 2017.

Hegerberg was infamously asked to twerk by French DJ Martin Solveig after she was presented with the Ballon d'Or in December.

DJ Martin Solveig (centre) was at the centre of a sexism row after asking Ada Hegerberg if she could 'twerk' as she won the inaugural female Ballon d'Or in December - AFP/Getty/DailyMail

The 23-year-old was the first ever female winner of the accolade and hopes it can inspire young girls trying to break into the sport.

But she will not be seen at the World Cup due to ongoing disagreements with the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) over how women are treated in comparison to men.

Olympique Lyonnais Norwegian forward poses with her 2018 Ballon d'Or award - Getty 

In 2017, the NFF signed an agreement on equal pay with the country's players association but Hegerberg has continued her exile.

'It's not always about the money,' she says.
'There are several changes that would need to be made before I'd evaluate returning.

ADA HEGERBERG

Club:
2010-11: Kolbotn (31 apps, 15 goals)
2012: Stabaek (26 apps, 33 goals)
2012-14: Turbine Potsdam (33 apps, 14 goals)
2014-19: Lyon (154 apps, 184 goals)

Ada Hegerberg in action for French club Olympique Lyonnaise - Getty

Country:
2011-17: Norway (66 caps, 38 goals)

Coach Martin Sjogren admitted back in February that it was unlikely Hegerberg would be called up.

'We tried to solve it, we had meetings, but she decided not to play,' he said.