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Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg told UEFA she fully supports Chelsea manager Emma Hayes in the race for cash prizes for the European Championship final to be played in England next year.
The European governing body recently announced that the prize pool for next summer’s tournament has increased from £ 6.9million to £ 13.7million for the 16 participating countries, but the amount is not still only a fraction of the £ 317million that was split between the 24 teams at the Euro 2020 men’s championship.
In response to the increase, Hayes recently stated: “It’s not enough money. This is far from the amount of money needed. “
On Monday, Hegerberg backed the Chelsea manager by saying: “Emma Hayes made a comment on this, and she is absolutely right. I am a player and from my point of view my job is to perform. But what is important about this subject is that we are not in a position where we should be grateful for all that is given to us.
“I know without performance nothing follows, but that doesn’t mean you have to be grateful,†she added. “Some things should be the bare minimum.”
Hegerberg’s remarks carry significant weight. The 26-year-old Norwegian, five-time Champions League winner with Lyon, made history in 2018 by becoming the first woman to receive the Ballon d’Or.
The forward, who also holds the record for most goals in the Women’s Champions League, has been out for almost two years following a string of injuries. But she will be in the Lyon squad for the opening game of their European campaign against Häcken in Sweden on Tuesday.
“I’ll be honest, it’s been very difficult and mentally stimulating,†Hegerberg said of his 20-month injury layoff. “But I see it in a positive light. I have grown incredibly, as a woman and a footballer, and it gives me strength for years to come because it shaped me.
“Football, the fans, my teammates and I will never take football for granted again. I am motivated, dynamic and ready to give my best for the next part of my career.”
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