Boulogne-Billancourt (France) (AFP) – Norway coach Martin Sjogren has played down any hope of Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg ending her international exile in time to represent the Scandinavian nation at next year’s women’s World Cup in France.
“You should ask her. The matter is closed for the moment because she has made it clear that she does not wish to play for the national team and we respect her choice,” Swede Sjogren said after Saturday’s draw for the World Cup.
“We will see. We have had no contact with her at the moment.”
Former World Cup winners Norway were drawn in Group A alongside South Korea, Nigeria and the hosts France.
Prolific striker Hegerberg — who plays her club football in France for Lyon — won the inaugural women’s Ballon d’Or at a ceremony in Paris last Monday.
Afterwards she told Norwegian television that she would not consider returning before “a good few changes” were made in the national team set-up.
Hegerberg has not played for her country since their meek exit from Euro 2017, when they finished bottom of their group and failed to score a single goal.
