Martin Rogers
FOX Sports Insider
Star forward Ada Hegerberg was involved in a shock development that saw her withdrawn from Norway’s Women’s World Cup contest against Switzerland moments before kick-off in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Hegerberg, a former winner of the Women’s Ballon d’Or awarded to the best player in the world, surprised fans and viewers by disappearing down the stadium tunnel just as the Group A clash began.
Norwegian star Ada Hegerberg was seen walking back to the tunnel before the match against Switzerland.
FOX reported that Hegerberg had felt groin discomfort while performing a final sprint as part of his pregame warmup, with the teams already on the field and the national anthems played.
She was assessed by team doctor Trygve Hunemo and returned to the locker room for treatment, according to Norwegian television. More details about her condition remained sketchy when the Norwegians began their crucial matchup, having lost their opener to New Zealand.
Hegerberg has spent nine years at the dominant French club Lyon and is one of the most feared goalscorers in Europe. However, this is only his second World Cup, as he was out of the national team for five years due to a dispute with the Norwegian soccer federation.
Before the showdown with Switzerland, Hegerberg seemed intent on boosting the team’s campaign.
“I think a lot about how I can perform at my best and how we can win,” he told reporters. “I try to be positive. At times like this it gets very serious, we have to enjoy football.”
‘I feel like it’s just going forward and up now’: Ada Hegerberg on return with Norway and World Cup expectations
Martin Rogers is a columnist for FOX Sports and author of the FOX Sports Insider newsletter. Follow him on Twitter @mrogersfox and subscribe to the daily newsletter.
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