Ada Hegerberg named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year

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Lyon striker Ada Hegerberg has been voted BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year for a second time.

Hegerberg has now won the award twice, in 2017 and 2019.

The Norway international, who will not be playing at the Women’s World Cup this summer, has had another stellar campaign in front of goal for club side Lyon.

Hegerberg scored 29 goals in 33 games, including a hat-trick in the Champions League final to ensure Lyon won the trophy for a fourth consecutive year. Lyon won the treble this season: French league title, French cup and Champions League.

Hegerberg, 23, said:

“It’s an honour winning this for the second time.

“Saki is my room-mate. I know her qualities and what she’s given to the club. She’s also captain of Japan which speaks for itself.

“But also Sam and Pernille are players who are at the top of their game, along with Lindsey. Winning again is such a special feeling.”

Denmark and Wolfsburg striker Pernille Harder finished second in the public vote, with Australia and Chicago Red Stars forward Sam Kerr coming third.

The other nominees on the five-player shortlist for the BBC World Service award were Japan and Lyon defensive midfielder Saki Kumagai and Portland Thorns’ USA midfielder Lindsey Horan.

“Sometimes in my mind, I think ‘am I capable of doing that?’ and some part of me goes ‘absolutely, of course you are’ and some part is like ‘you’re a lunatic, don’t put yourself in a situation like that before you’ve been there’,” Hegerberg said.

“But visualising it all leads up to moments like that.”

Hegerberg made history last year when she won the inaugural Women’s Ballon d’Or.