Ada Hegerberg: Ballon d'Or winner omitted from Norway's 2019 World Cup squad

The 23-year-old striker has refused to play for her country since 2017 over a disagreement about respect for female players

Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg will not play at the 2019 Women’s World Cup after being omitted from the Norway squad.

The 23-year-old striker’s absence in France is no surprise after a self-imposed exile from the national team since 2017.

Hegerberg, who was crowned the best player in the world in 2018, insists there is a lack of respect for female players in Norway.

Norway coach Martin Sjogren claims Norway attempted to solve the situation but ultimately Hegerberg made the decision.

“We tried to solve it, we had meetings, but she decided not to play,” coach Martin Sjogren said.

Chelsea defender Maria Thorisdottir and midfielder Maren Mjelde have made the cut, with Wolfsburg forward Caroline Graham Hansen also present.

“As a coach, you need to focus on the players who want to be a part of the team and Ada doesn’t,” Sjogren told the BBC.

“We respect that and we have been working hard with the other players and they have been doing a great job.”

The ongoing disagreement saw Sjogren insisting Hegerberg did not share the same “values” as the team, while the 23-year-old has a different view.

Ada Hegerberg is scoring at a rate surpassing even Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (Getty)

“I expect if people have had a problem with me or my attitude, then they come and take it directly with me, face to face,” Hegerberg said in 2017.

“No one has done that, and then I expect that is what is the reality.”