Ada Hegerberg Lauds USWNT Star Lily Yohannes’ Talent
Ada Hegerberg has expressed her admiration for Lily Yohannes, a promising player for the U.S. Women’s National Team, with whom she is currently playing at OL Lyonnes. The acknowledgment comes in light of Yohannes’s phenomenal long-range goal during a recent UEFA Women’s Champions League match.
In a recent group stage encounter, Hegerberg netted her 67th goal in the UWCL as Lyonnes secured a decisive 3-0 victory over St. Pölten. The highlight of the match also included a remarkable goal from the young American player, showcasing her skill and potential on an international stage.
“The Champions League experience is indescribable; it really delivers an adrenaline rush that’s exceptional,” Hegerberg remarked.
Hegerberg Continues to Excel
For over six years, Hegerberg has dominated the scoring charts in the UWCL. She surpassed Anja Mittag’s previous best of 51 goals during her time in the league and has since expanded her total to 63 goals, including 58 for OL Lyonnes, as well as contributions during her stints with Stabaek and Turbine Potsdam.
In her impressive career, Hegerberg has celebrated 10 French league titles and six UWCL championships with OL Lyonnes, where she began her journey in 2014. Her achievements include being the inaugural winner of the Women’s Ballon d’Or.
Beyond her impressive records, Hegerberg is also a vocal advocate for progress in women’s football. From 2017 until 2022, she opted not to play for Norway to address the gender inequality and inadequate support for women’s sports. She urges for more innovative strategies and a radical commitment to progress in women’s football.
“We need a fresh approach that may differ from men’s football,” Hegerberg stated, appreciating the visions of Michele Kang, the new owner of OL Lyonnes. Kang aims to establish a unique identity for women’s football, highlighting the necessity for tailored approaches in strategy and engagement.
New Era at OL Lyonnes
With Kang taking the reins of the club in 2023, OL Lyonnes looks to strengthen its independence from the men’s team, focusing on sustainable development instead of merely financial investments. Hegerberg acknowledges the recent changes in the club and has noticed a resurgence of the intense training mentality that led to previous successes.
Reflecting on her years with OL Lyonnes, Hegerberg remarked, “We made winning appear effortless, but intense training and commitment were the keys to our success.” With high expectations hanging over the team, she is focused on rekindling that dedicated spirit.
As she strives to maintain her position on the starting lineup amidst an influx of new talent, Hegerberg is continually setting new personal goals. At 30, she draws inspiration not only from her past role models in men’s football but also from outstanding female athletes across various sports, stating, “It’s important to seek inspiration from strong women in sport.” This new perspective fuels her ambition to keep contributing to the team’s success as they aim for further victories in the current season.
Hegerberg remains optimistic about the future, emphasizing the hard work required to reclaim the UWCL title. “It won’t be easy, but I’m hopeful that our long-term commitment to building a cohesive team will yield the desired outcomes,” she concluded.
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