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World Cup pundit Nadia Nadim has revealed that her mother’s sudden death caused her abrupt departure during ITV’s coverage of a live match.
Viewers watched as the female football star and refugee, 34, was part of Tuesday’s broadcast of Denmark’s goalless draw against Tunisia, but was no longer in the studio after the final whistle.
ITV confirmed she had left the studio early, but declined to elaborate before the news broke on Wednesday afternoon.
The analyst confirmed today that she was forced to leave suddenly when her mother was killed by a truck on her way back from the gym.
ITV’s World Cup pundit Nadia Nadim has revealed her mother has died after being killed by a lorry on her way back from the gym
The Afghan soccer star and former refugee is pictured with her mother (right) before her passing
Nadia revealed the tragic news today on her Instagram page (pictured)
Viewers watched as the female football star and refugee, 34, was part of the broadcast of Denmark’s goalless draw against Tunisia on Tuesday, but was no longer in the studio after the final whistle
The rising star (pictured with David Beckham) was the first female soccer player from Denmark to be sponsored by Nike when she signed a brand ambassador deal with the company in 2017. The deal was extended to 2024 last year.
Nadia also speaks more than eight languages and qualified as a doctor in January
The former Manchester City and PSG striker wrote on Instagram: “On Tuesday morning my mother was killed by a lorry. She was on her way back from the gym.
“Words cannot describe what I feel. I lost the most important person in my life and it happened so suddenly and unexpectedly.
“She was only 57. She was a warrior who had fought for every inch of her life. She gave me life not once, but twice, and everything I/we are is because of her.
“I’ve lost my home and I know nothing will ever feel the same again. Life is unfair and I don’t understand why them and why this way. I love you and I will see you again.’
Nadim added, “Her funeral will be soon… please come and show her the love, respect and prayers she deserves.”
It is still not clear where Nadia’s mother was killed.
The former Manchester City and PSG striker wrote on Instagram: “On Tuesday morning my mother was killed by a lorry. She was on her way back from the gym’
Nadia’s social media pages are filled with adoring pictures of her mother
Nadia was born in Herat in northeastern Afghanistan and grew up in the country until her father, an army general, was executed by the Taliban in 2000.
The talented sportswoman won the French national title earlier in the 2020-2021 season while playing for Paris Saint-German
Born in Herat in northeastern Afghanistan, Nadia grew up in the country until her father, an army general, was executed by the Taliban in 2000.
She and her family fled her native country and settled in Denmark at age 11, where she began her football career in a refugee camp.
During her international career, she made almost 100 appearances for Denmark. She is widely known as the greatest female Afghan footballer of all time.
Nadia also speaks more than eight languages and qualified as a doctor in January.
She currently plays in the National Women’s Soccer League in the US for Racing Louisville FC.
The talented sportswoman won the French national title earlier in the 2020-2021 season as a player for Paris Saint-German.
And in the UK, she played for Manchester City and scored within the first six minutes of her debut against Reading in January 2018, which ended in a 5-2 win.
She and her family fled her native country and settled in Denmark at age 11, where she began her football career in a refugee camp.
Off the field, she is a passionate ambassador for UNESCO and regularly speaks on panels on children’s education and sport.
The rising star was the first female soccer player from Denmark to be sponsored by Nike when she signed a brand ambassador deal with the company in 2017. The deal was extended to 2024 last year.
Nadia hopes to become a surgeon when she hangs up her football boots and has already assisted in a few surgeries.
She received her PhD from Aarhus University Medical School and studied distance learning during the football season.
The expert graced the cover of Vogue Arabia this month and was named by Forbes in 2018’s top 20 ‘Most Powerful Women in International Sports’.