NEUCHÂTEL, Switzerland: As Norway enters the knockout rounds of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, star striker and captain Ada Hegerberg is not only focused on lifting silverware but also on shaping the future of women’s football.

More than a decade has passed since a teenage Hegerberg helped Norway reach the Euro 2013 final, where they fell narrowly to Germany. Now 30 and a decorated icon of the sport, Hegerberg is leading a side eager to write a new chapter — while ensuring young girls everywhere are inspired along the way.

A Role Model On and Off the Pitch

Speaking during a training session open to fans in Neuchâtel, Hegerberg reflected on how far the women’s game has come. Norway’s group-stage matches at the 2013 Euros drew fewer than 30,000 spectators combined. In contrast, their Euro 2025 opener alone attracted 34,063 fans, where Hegerberg scored a powerful header in a 2-1 victory over host nation Switzerland.

“We’re here to inspire, to be open, and to connect with the next generation,” Hegerberg told reporters as young fans lined up for autographs.

That ethos is reflected in the team’s media accessibility and regular engagement with supporters. For Hegerberg, it’s about more than football — it’s about building a legacy.

From Protest to Captaincy

After achieving global fame with Olympique Lyonnais, where she won six Champions League titles and became the first-ever women’s Ballon d’Or winner in 2018, Hegerberg took a bold stand. In 2017, she walked away from the national team, citing unequal treatment by the Norwegian Football Federation.

Her five-year absence ended in 2022. She returned not just as a player, but as a symbol of change — now wearing the captain’s armband, taking over from long-time leader Maren Mjelde.

“It’s a responsibility I take seriously,” she said. “Caro (Graham Hansen) and I have been through a lot. We try to lead with calmness when needed, power when required, and always authenticity.”

Haunted by 2013, Focused on 2025

Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen were both on the field during that painful 2013 final defeat. With maturity and perspective, they now reflect on how close they came.

“We don’t talk about that match much, but we were one goal away from being European champions,” Hegerberg admitted. “That moment lives with us, and it fuels us now.”

Their journey continues as Norway faces Italy in the knockout stage on Wednesday in Geneva — a match Hegerberg hopes will push the team further while captivating even more fans.

The Power Braid: A Symbol of Focus

Beyond her goals and accolades, Hegerberg’s signature power braid has become a symbol for young fans — a look often imitated by girls watching from the stands. But it has a humble, practical origin.

“I was eight when my dad told me I touched my hair too much during matches,” she laughed. “He said I needed to focus more, so we came up with the braid — and I’ve stuck with it ever since.”

Now, young fans in Neuchâtel arrive with their own braided hair, eager to meet the icon who once stood where they stand.

A Leader Beyond the Game

Hegerberg’s influence goes well beyond goals and trophies. She represents what the modern women’s footballer can be: talented, outspoken, driven — and rooted in purpose.

“It’s our day off, but being with the fans is part of why we’re here,” she said before turning to greet the crowds.

As Norway looks to advance in Euro 2025, Hegerberg’s focus remains clear: winning on the pitch, and building something bigger off it.