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The all-time top scorer in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with 59 goals, Ada Hegerberg is a modern phenomenon, but although she won the world’s biggest club competition for a sixth time with Lyon this season, it was anything but not routine success.
Hegerberg was sidelined for more than 20 months with a cruciate ligament injury before returning to action in October and has not played for Norway since their ill-fated UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 campaign, only agreeing to return in March this year . However, she is now back in the fold for the 26-year-old and hopes her country can produce a campaign to be proud of in England.
On her return to help Norway at UEFA Women’s EURO 2022
Coming back was a huge thing for me. I felt it was the right time. Obviously it wasn’t an overnight decision either, but I always have a good dialogue with Lise Klavenes, who is the president of the Norwegian Football Association. I’m so glad to be back with the girls. I am very happy to see all these young children, but also older people in the stands.
Obviously I want to see us lift the euro [trophy], but there are many steps before that and predicting the EURO winner is very difficult. Obviously you have England, France… Sweden is always a strong team that you can count on. It’s a long tournament; this is difficult. It’s all about taking one step at a time. There will certainly be surprises, but I can’t tell you who will win.
For winning the Women’s Champions League this season with Lyon
I think it’s very natural to have [negative] thoughts during such a long time of injury. I would never say that I ever doubted myself and my ability to come back. It was obviously very difficult mentally, but also physically, but I always had that feeling of belief. I just stayed with good people who gave me good energy. I received great medical care and took it day by day.
But at the same time, I have to say, looking back at the season now, what we’ve achieved, what I’ve achieved personally after what I’ve been through, it’s almost emotionally very inspiring to keep going. I don’t stop there. I feel like I’m entering some beautiful years in football and I’m ready to enjoy them.
On the ongoing challenge to win his first EURO
The EURO is a very difficult tournament. In 2013 we went to the final. We lost against Germany, but we were very close to really becoming European champions. And then we get to 2017 where we have a very tough tournament again. So, it’s all about preparation – as a team, mentally – with plans because it doesn’t always go the way you want it to go.
We have good qualities in our team. I think Guro Reiten and Carolyn Graham Hansen had very good seasons. Frida Maanum is back, a very important part of our team with her leadership and experience. So it’s all about maintaining that balance. To be realistic with where we are, but also to be ambitious so that you don’t have such a huge drop off between the two. It can only improve after the last time.
About the pressure on her to lead Norway to the final
I don’t feel any tension, and I think it’s a very good tension anyway. When you play for your country, it’s all about creating that interesting connection with the fans and creating that realistic but aspirational vibe with them. That’s why, going into a new tournament, I think we have to set high standards for ourselves because we know we have quality and at the same time we always know where we are so we can always go in the right direction; don’t go too low but not too high either.
I think we have quality but you have to make it work. You got to play together and that’s why I’m excited. Everyone has been with their own clubs, but now we have time to really come together, train well, prepare well and have a good time together.
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