Barcelona star fumes after being dropped at the World Cup

Barcelona winger Caroline Graham Hansen was far from pleased after being dropped from Norway’s starting lineup against Switzerland in the second round of Group A games at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The 28-year-old eventually made a cameo against Switzerland in the 0-0 draw but aired her displeasure after the match, stating that she felt disrespected by the decision to leave her out of the starting line-up.

Graham Hansen had been part of the team that lost Norway’s opening game to co-hosts New Zealand and was one of three casualties of the poor result, dropping to the bench alongside Barcelona teammate Ingrid Syrstad Engen and Manchester City’s Julie Blakstad.

Although Graham Hansen played for 45 minutes after coming off the bench at halftime, she could not help but feel that she was left out for personal reasons, rather than poor performance.

Speaking after the game, Graham Hansen said, "It's tough, I don't know what I can say. There's not much I can say, I feel like I'm standing here with my hands tied.

"I feel I have been stepped on for a whole year - everyone says all the time that we have to stand together as a team and as a nation, but I feel I've been on the receiving end [of a raw deal].

The Barcelona winger concluded, "Nothing comes for free in life, but I thought I had earned a certain amount of respect, but maybe that wasn't the case."

Graham Hansen will be hoping to be back in the starting lineup when Norway face the Philippines, hoping to get their World Cup qualification hopes back on track with a first win of the tournament.