Hegerberg returned as a substitute on the first night of the inaugural group stage at Häcken on 5 October, then netted her first Champions League goal following that prolonged absence against Benfica on Matchday 5 (in the first minute). There were five more goals in the competition this season, not least one in the final as Lyon beat Barcelona 3-1. Here the Norwegian reflects on the joy of that win – and of being back on a football pitch. 

Regaining the title was a fairytale ending. When you were sidelined because of your injury, were there moments where you thought you weren’t going to get back to your best? 

I think it’s very natural to have those thoughts. Obviously it’s been really challenging: I had my lowest days and it took a lot of resilience, patience, repetition. I would never say that I doubted myself and my ability to come back, though; I’ve always had this experience with hard work and resilience. That’s kind of been my success my whole career. I just stuck with good people who gave me good energy. I got great medical help and I took it day by day. 

And how has it felt to be back on a football pitch?

I mean, life is good. I’ve been happy ever since I got back and enjoying every day – and I’ve got to say, it’s been a long road. You’ve got to seize the moment. I couldn’t imagine this last year. To be honest, these are the most beautiful games you could experience as a footballer.

When you first came back you spent a few games starting on the bench. How is Ada Hegerberg on the bench? 

I would love to tell you that I’m a very patient person – but I’m a competitor. I just want to be on the pitch at all times, because you are so much more stressed when you’re sitting on the bench watching your team play. So it was a tricky balance.

It wasn’t an easy route to the final for Lyon this season either.

Every year has been very hard. Maybe people on the outside take it for granted that we won five years in a row, but winning every single trophy over those years was incredibly hard. The focus you have to have, year in, year out; you have to show up to a new season with the same ambition. You have to think anew. We had to analyse ourselves. And when you look back on it, it’s like, ‘It shouldn’t happen, being able to win five years in a row.’ So I wouldn’t dismiss the fact that we did that.

You’ve now got six Champions League winners medals. What are your favourite memories? 

Every final we have won has been special in its own way. The first one because it was the first one, but it’s always the next one that is the most difficult. So, there have been some incredible football games in the Champions League – I can look back to the year of 2016 and some fantastic performances – but all the finals are held dearly. And the day I beat the record of most goals scored [in 2019] was special because I know Anja Mittag very well; a legend in the world of football. Taking over her spot was a huge deal and she sent me a little text. That shows her class. So that was a good day.

What would you say to young girls with a dream of playing in the Champions League one day?

There is so much to tell. The first thing I would say is to really dig deep and find out what your qualities are. We all have different qualities; we are all unique in our own way. And keep watching the games, be inspired, try to get into the stadium and actually feel the atmosphere live. I think that does something to you, to see the level live and just take that inspiration, go home and work hard.

Was last season a turning point for women’s football?

For sure, you could feel that there’s some special attention. The Champions League format changed a little bit with the group stages and the way it’s televised. It’s been absolutely amazing and honestly, as a player, seeing the development, seeing how many people actually care about these types of games, it’s what you train for. You shouldn’t forget that we’ve come from a year without any spectators in the stadiums. So these are special times and what we want as players is to give the audience a good game – a spectacle.

You’re one of the world’s most decorated players. What’s the next step for Ada Hegerberg?

As clichéd as it sounds, it is very much about hard work. I visualise football every day before practice; after practice I analyse what can be done better. That’s what I’ve been doing since I was 11 or 12 years old, starting with my dad. It’s all about working on details every day, always wanting to take the next step. There are always new areas where you can improve. I can honestly say that having this injury… obviously I could have lived nicely without it, but it has helped me to reflect in a completely different way on how I train, eat and take care of my body. So I feel like it has given me an extra level of competence.

Given everything that’s happened, how do you sum up the season?

Looking back, what we achieved, what I achieved personally after what I’ve been through… I mean, it’s emotionally very inspiring to continue. I don’t stop here. I feel like I’m going into some beautiful years of football and I’m just ready to enjoy it.