Nadia Nadim at her mother’s funeral after learning of her death during World Cup coverage (Picture: ITV)
ITV pundit Nadia Nadim has attended her mother’s funeral in Denmark after learning she was killed in an accident.
The striker, who plays for Denmark’s national team, had been in Qatar covering the World Cup tournament when she found out about the devastating loss.
Part of the broadcasters panel when Denmark drew with Tunisia on Tuesday, Nadia had to leave the studio mid-way through the match and later revealed on social media her mother had been killed after being hit by a truck.
She quickly returned home, where her mother Hadima Nadim’s funeral was held in the town of Aarhus.
Publicly sharing details of her mother’s funeral on Instagram yesterday, Nadia asked people to ‘please come and show an incredible woman the love, respect and prayers she deserves’.
She added: ‘Thank you so much for the love and prayers, it means a lot’.
Off the field, Nadia is a pundit for ITV (Picture: ITV)
On Friday, Nadia stood next to a portrait of her mother as she accepted condolences from the hundreds of people who had gathered to pay their respects.
Dressed in black, Nadia gave a brief speech before being overcome with emotion.
In the post announcing her mother’s death, Nadia also paid tribute to the woman she labelled a ‘warrior’.
‘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 wrote.
‘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’.
Nadia has represented Denmark since 2009 (Picture: Getty)
Born and raised in Afghanistan, Nadia’s Army general father was executed by the Taliban.
The family went into hiding for three years before eventually fleeing.
Settling in Denmark, Nadia began her professional career there before going on to play for Manchester City and then for clubs in Paris and Louisville, Kentucky.
She was the first ever non-Danish born member of the country’s senior national team when she debuted in 2009.
In 2018, Forbes ranked Nadia Number 20 in their Most Powerful Women in International Sports List.
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She was also the first female footballer from Denmark to be sponsored by Nike when she signed a brand ambassador deal with the company in 2017.
As well as working with brands like Visa and Hugo Boss, she qualified as a doctor earlier this year.
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‘Show an incredible woman the love, respect and prayers she deserves’.
