<p class="title">Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg said the introduction of a women's Ballon d'Or was a "big step forward" for the game, playing down suggestions her historic victory was overshadowed after being asked to perform a 'twerk' live on stage.</p>.<p class="title">The Lyon star -- whose prolific form in front of goal helped the French club secure a third successive Champions League victory -- edged out Danish forward Pernille Harder to claim the inaugural prize at a ceremony in Paris on Monday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The 23-year-old was asked if she would perform a sexually provocative dance by French host DJ, Martin Solveig, and appeared embarrassed as she rejected the request.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hegerberg later said: "He came to see me after and apologised. The Ballon d'Or is the most important thing."</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I am touched and very proud, for women's football, for myself, for the club. I share this with Olympique Lyonnais, my team-mates, the staff," she beamed.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It's historic, it's incredible, a great day for women's football and a big step forward."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hegerberg, one of seven players from the all-conquering Lyon side to feature among the 15 nominees, dismissed suggestions that the night was marred by the "twerk" request.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I didn't feel it was like that at all to be honest and I am sad if people thought about the situation like that."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hegerberg was Lyon's top scorer with 15 goals -- with one coming in the Champions League final in Kiev in May, as Lyon came from behind to beat VfL Wolfsburg 4-1 after extra time and retain the trophy. Harder had put the Germans in front in that game.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Lyon also won the French title for the 12th season in succession, with Hegerberg top-scoring with 31 goals, and she continues to bang in the goals for her team who are top of the table again this season.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Her goal-scoring exploits have led to comparisons with five-time Ballon d'Or winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and she felt that had made the difference for her compared to her Lyon colleagues.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I think the fact I scored 54 goals last season and 53 goals this year -- it's a lot of goals in one year," she said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I know it's difficult to score 50 goals every season. It is a challenge. That is where I set the bar."</p>
<p class="title">Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg said the introduction of a women's Ballon d'Or was a "big step forward" for the game, playing down suggestions her historic victory was overshadowed after being asked to perform a 'twerk' live on stage.</p>.<p class="title">The Lyon star -- whose prolific form in front of goal helped the French club secure a third successive Champions League victory -- edged out Danish forward Pernille Harder to claim the inaugural prize at a ceremony in Paris on Monday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The 23-year-old was asked if she would perform a sexually provocative dance by French host DJ, Martin Solveig, and appeared embarrassed as she rejected the request.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hegerberg later said: "He came to see me after and apologised. The Ballon d'Or is the most important thing."</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I am touched and very proud, for women's football, for myself, for the club. I share this with Olympique Lyonnais, my team-mates, the staff," she beamed.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It's historic, it's incredible, a great day for women's football and a big step forward."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hegerberg, one of seven players from the all-conquering Lyon side to feature among the 15 nominees, dismissed suggestions that the night was marred by the "twerk" request.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I didn't feel it was like that at all to be honest and I am sad if people thought about the situation like that."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hegerberg was Lyon's top scorer with 15 goals -- with one coming in the Champions League final in Kiev in May, as Lyon came from behind to beat VfL Wolfsburg 4-1 after extra time and retain the trophy. Harder had put the Germans in front in that game.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Lyon also won the French title for the 12th season in succession, with Hegerberg top-scoring with 31 goals, and she continues to bang in the goals for her team who are top of the table again this season.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Her goal-scoring exploits have led to comparisons with five-time Ballon d'Or winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and she felt that had made the difference for her compared to her Lyon colleagues.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I think the fact I scored 54 goals last season and 53 goals this year -- it's a lot of goals in one year," she said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I know it's difficult to score 50 goals every season. It is a challenge. That is where I set the bar."</p>