Ada Martine Stolsmo Hegerberg was born on July 10, 1995, in Molde, Norway. She is a renowned Norwegian professional footballer who has made a significant mark in women’s football. Hegerberg currently plays as a striker for Division 1 Féminine club Lyon and the Norway national team.
Hegerberg’s journey in football began at a young age. She represented Norway at various youth international levels before making her debut for the senior national team in 2011. Her talent and dedication quickly became evident, and in 2013, she was a part of the silver medalist team at the UEFA Women’s Championship.
Throughout her career, Hegerberg has participated in several major tournaments, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015, the UEFA Women’s Championship in 2017, and the recent 2022 UEFA Women’s Championship. She has consistently proven herself as a valuable asset to the Norwegian national team.
In recognition of her exceptional skills and contributions to women’s football, Hegerberg has received numerous prestigious awards. On August 25, 2016, she was honored with the UEFA Best Women’s Player in Europe Award. This recognition showcased her status as one of the most outstanding female footballers in the world. Additionally, Hegerberg was named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year in both 2017 and 2019, further solidifying her reputation as a top player.
One of Hegerberg’s most significant achievements came in 2018 when she became the first-ever recipient of the Ballon d’Or Féminin. This prestigious award recognized her as the best female footballer in the world, highlighting her exceptional skills, leadership, and impact on the sport.
Throughout her career, Hegerberg has broken records and achieved remarkable milestones. She holds the record for the most goals in a UEFA Women’s Champions League season, with an impressive tally of 15. Currently, she is the highest goalscorer in the history of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, with a remarkable total of 59 goals. These feats demonstrate her exceptional talent and scoring ability.
Hegerberg’s club career has been equally impressive. She began her journey with Kolbotn IL, where she made her debut in 2010. During her time at Kolbotn, she became the league’s Young Player of the Year at just 16 years old. Her success continued when she joined Stabæk ahead of the 2012 season. In her first season with Stabæk, Hegerberg emerged as the top goalscorer of the Toppserien, the Norwegian women’s football league, with an impressive 25 goals in 18 matches.
In 2013, Hegerberg and her sister Andrine signed contracts with the German side 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam. They joined their compatriot Maren Mjelde in the team. Hegerberg made an immediate impact and scored in her Bundesliga debut against SC Freiburg, contributing to their victory.
Since 2014, Hegerberg has been a vital part of Olympique Lyonnais, one of the most successful women’s football clubs in the world. Her time at Lyon has been filled with achievements, including multiple league titles and victories in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. She has played a crucial role in Lyon’s dominance of women’s football.
Off the field, Hegerberg is known for her dedication to empowering women in sports. She serves as an inspiration for young girls aspiring to play football and has become an influential figure in promoting gender equality in sports.
Ada Hegerberg’s impact on women’s football and her achievements on and off the field make her an iconic figure in the sport. She has shattered records, received prestigious awards, and continues to inspire future generations of female footballers. Her legacy as one of the greatest female footballers of all time is firmly secured.
Awards:
– 2016 UEFA Best Women’s Player in Europe Award
– 2017 BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year
– 2018 Ballon d’Or Féminin
– 2019 BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year