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ITV pundit Nadia Nadim broke down in tears today as she bid an emotional farewell to her mother after she was killed in a digger accident.
The women’s football star, 34, was forced off air during ITV’s live World Cup coverage to learn that her mother, Hadima Nadim, 57, had been hit by a digger while on her way back from the gym in Denmark.
Today Nadia, dressed in black with her hair scraped back in a tight bun, was overcome with emotion at her mother’s funeral at the Vestre Kirkegaard cemetery in the Danish town of Aarhus.
Today Nadia, dressed in black with her hair scraped back in a tight bun, was overcome with emotion at her mother’s funeral at the Vestre Kirkegaard cemetery in Copenhagen
Nadia, who plays for Denmark at international level, had earlier stood next to a portrait of her mother while accepting condolences from the hundreds of people who had gathered for the funeral
The ex-Manchester City forward, surrounded by her relatives and friends, choked back sobs as she paid tribute to her mother.
‘I love you and we’ll see each other one day,’ Nadia said as her voice cracked with emotion.
The 34-year-old, shaking her head in grief, cut her speech short and was comforted by her family, who put their arms around her.
Nadia and her mother bravely fled Afghanistan when she was just 11, after going into hiding for three years when her Army general father was executed by the Taliban .
Nadia, who plays for Denmark at international level, today stood next to a portrait of her mother while accepting condolences from the hundreds of people who had gathered for the funeral.
‘I can’t say anything now, I am very sorry,’ Nadia told a journalist from Kendte.dk at the cemetery.
On Wednesday, she revealed that she was forced to abandon ITV’s coverage of Denmark’s goalless draw with Tunisia to learn that her mother, Hadima, had been fatally hit by a digger in the town of Uldum, Denmark.
The ex-Manchester City forward, surrounded by her relatives and friends, was overcome with emotion during her mother’s funeral
Hundreds of people gathered for Hadima Nadim’s funeral in Denmark today
ITV ‘s World Cup pundit Nadia Nadim has revealed her mother has died after being killed by a truck while on her way back from the gym (Pictured: Nadia moments before abandoning the ITV broadcast after discovering the tragic news)
She is thought to have been killed instantly after the driver failed to see her when she stepped into the road.
Nadia and her mother bravely fled Afghanistan when she was just 11, after going into hiding for three years when her Army general father was executed by the Taliban.
In a touching tribute on Instagram on Wednesday, Nadia branded her mother a ‘warrior’ who gave her life ‘twice’ – first when she gave birth to her, and later when she risked everything to give her a safer life in Europe.
Ms Nadim wrote on Instagram: ‘Words cannot describe what I’m feeling. I have lost the most important person in my life and it happened so sudden and unexpected.
‘She was only 57. She was a warrior who had fought for every inch of her life. She didn’t give me life once but twice, and everything I/we are is because of her.
‘I have lost my home and I know nothing’s gonna ever feel the same. Life is unfair and I don’t understand why her and why this way. I love you and I will see you again.’ She added: ‘Her funeral is going to be soon… please come and show her the love, respect and prayers she deserves.’
Today Nadia, dressed in black with her hair scraped back in a tight bun, was overcome with emotion at her mother’s funeral at the Vestre Kirkegaard cemetery in Copenhagen
Nadia and her mother (pictured) bravely fled Afghanistan when she was just 11, after going into hiding for three years when her Army general father was executed by the Taliban
Nadia revealed the tragic news on her Instagram page on Wednesday (pictured)
The rising star (pictured with David Beckham) was the first female footballer from Denmark to be sponsored by Nike when she signed a brand ambassador deal with the company in 2017. The deal was extended last year to 2024.
Nadia and her mother bravely fled Afghanistan when she was just 11, after going into hiding for three years when her Army general father (pictured) was executed by the Taliban
In addition to Nadia, Hadima leaves behind four other daughters; Giti, Diana, Muskan and Mujda.
Hamida moved to Uldum in 2018 after Nadia, together with her sister Giti, bought her a house to thank her for the support she had provided to the family.
An ITV spokesman said they were ‘deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic news’. The spokesman added: ‘We have offered Nadia our support and our thoughts are with her and those closest to her at this incredibly difficult time.’
Ms Nadim and her mother fled Afghanistan when she was just 11 after her father was executed by the Taliban.
They moved to a refugee camp in Denmark where Ms Nadim discovered football after seeing a group of girls playing it over a fence. She was eventually allowed to take part in their training despite not speaking any English or Danish.
She made the team within three months and was later awarded asylum, allowing her and her four sisters to stay in Denmark.
In 2009 she debuted for the Danish senior national team as the first ever non-Danish born member. She has played for the team almost 100 times.
Ms Nadim, who qualified as a doctor in January, currently plays in the National Women’s Soccer League in the US for Racing Louisville FC. She also won the French league title in the 2020-2021 season while playing with Paris Saint-German.
Off the pitch, she is a passionate ambassador for Unesco and regularly speaks on panels about children’s education and sports.
She was also the first female footballer from Denmark to be sponsored by Nike and has worked with brands including Visa and Hugo Boss.
In 2018 she was named by Forbes as one of the ‘most powerful women in international sports’.