nadia was born in 1988 in Herat, Afghanistan, and grew up as one of five daughters. When she was 11 years old, the Taliban abducted her father, who was an army general, and killed him. For four years, the family thought that the father was only imprisoned because of his military position and therefore believed in his return.
Nadim describes the loss of her personal hero as a significant turning point in her life. At that time, women were not allowed to leave the house without male accompaniment. Girls were no longer allowed to go to school, watch TV, listen to music. “You always had to be accompanied. Even if you just went shopping. You were not allowed to show any part of your skin. People lived in a constant state of anxiety.
The family decided to sell their belongings and flee to Pakistan on foot and under false identities in order to start a new life there. Contacts organized a flight to Italy for them. Once there, they spent a few days in a truck. The real destination: London, because relatives lived there.
But the family ended up in a refugee camp in Denmark. “After a few days, we all got out of the truck and expected to see Big Ben. But we did not do that. All we saw were trees. We asked a passerby where we were and found out that the bus had dropped us off in Denmark.” This finally offered them a safe and free life again.
During her first walk in newfound freedom, Nadia passed by a group of girls playing soccer. She remembers being afraid at first and not knowing if it was okay to be there.
As she watched from the fences, she felt that she actually wanted to be in the field with the girls. “I thought, 'That looks really cool, I want to do that too. '” After that day, she came back again and again until she finally plucked up the courage and asked the trainer if she could join in. Although she didn't speak English, Nadia was able to convey to the trainer with her hands and feet that she would like to play along. “I suddenly took part in the warm-up and training exercises.” And that's how her love for soccer began.
Since the family received asylum in Denmark, Nadim grew up in Aarhus, where she began her professional career at GUG Boldklub. After a few stints with Danish clubs, Nadia joined Sky Blue FC in the USA on loan in 2014 before joining Sky Blue FC in 2016 for Portland Thorns F.C. played and won the NWSL championship with them.
The striker then moved to Manchester City in 2017 and to Paris Saint German in 2019. There she won the French championship in the 2020/21 season and reached the final of the Champions League. Today, the 34-year-old is back in the USA and plays for Racing Louisville FC.
Since Nadim took Danish citizenship in 2009, she has played for the Danish national team, for which she also made her debut in March 2009. Nadia has already played 99 international matches for her and 38 goals achieved. She took part in three European Championships and one World Cup.
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But she never saw soccer as a job, because it was just a secondary issue for her. Football is her passion, not her job, even though she earns her money with it. In fact, the professional player studied medicine at Aarhus University on the side and specialized in reconstructive surgery. “I wanted to do something that would make an impact on people's lives,” she explains. Medicine gave her this opportunity, and she completed her studies in 2021.
And that's not all!
Nadia also visits numerous refugee camps around the world and shares her story. As a role model, she wants to encourage people and inspire them. “I want to tell those who have experienced dark times that it's okay,” she says. “It may be impossible to dream right now, but they shouldn't lose hope.”
Because of her role in promoting sport and gender equality, her contribution to educational efforts for young people, her commitment to the education of girls and women, and her support for the organization's actions worldwide, she has even become UNESCO champion for girls' and women's education appointed.
Taliban refugee, multi-talented and above all a role model. Nadia Nadim is more than just a soccer player. It inspires and motivates people all over the world. And most importantly: It shows that nothing is impossible.
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