Norway coach rules out chance of Hegerberg featuring at the World Cup

There is no chance of Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg featuring at the World Cup this summer in France, according to Norway coach Martin Sjogren.

Since Norway were eliminated from the Women’s European Championship in 2017 without scoring a goal, Hegerberg has not played for her country.

The Lyon striker has taken a stand against what she believes to be a lack of respect for female players in Norway.

Just a few months before the Norwegian Football Association (NFF) and the nation’s player’ association (NISO) signed an historic equal pay agreement, Hegerberg decided to remove herself from international football.

Speaking to BBC World Service, 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.”

The three-time Champions League winner who is also the inaugural Ballon d’Or winner felt it was an easy decision not to play for Norway anymore.

“She is a big profile in the game and Ada, of course, would be a great addition to our squad if she wants to be a part of it,” Sjogren added.

“I don’t think much about it because we have to put all of our focus on the players who want to be here. We won’t get that phone call because she has declared she is not going to play the World Cup.”

Norway will compete at the World Cup without star player Hegerberg. They are in Group A with hosts France, Nigeria and South Korea.