Denmark Women’s striker Nadia Nadim has returned to ITV's World Cup coverage following the heartbreaking death of her mum.
The 34-year-old confirmed the death of her mother Hamida last week after she was hit and killed by a truck on her way back from the gym. She was in the middle of a broadcast for ITV but had to walk out after being made aware of the shocking news.
Taking to Instagram, she wrote: "Words can not describe what I'm feeling. I have 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 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 is 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."
Following the tragedy, she took a few days away from her broadcasting commitments for ITV ahead of their live coverage of the final round of fixtures from Group A at the World Cup in Qatar. Speaking ahead of the kick-off, host Laura Woods gave Nadim a chance to speak about the tragedy.
“Thank you. My Mum, unfortunately, passed away last Tuesday, very unexpected, in an accident,” Nadim said
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“She was a very strong woman who inspired not only me but a lot of people around her and obviously I’m sad. But on the other hand, she raised us to be strong and I think this is how to show her to be strong, and I want to make her proud.
“I know she wanted me to be here. I Remember when the accident happened, she had said she’d go earlier to the gym so she could watch the show.
“That’s the reason why I’m here, to make her proud and keep my mind on football and work to try to build something instead of laying at home and feeling sad for myself.”
Following her touching speech, an ITV tweet read: “Everybody at ITV would like to pass on their love and support to @nadia_nadim whose mother sadly passed away last week.”
Southeast Jutland Police claimed the accident happened near her home in the town of Uldum, west of the Danish capital Copenhagen. Nadim was born in Afghanistan but fled for Denmark after her father was killed by the Taliban.
She began her career with B52 Aalborg and went on to represent the likes of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. Nadim went on to make 103 appearances for the Danish national team in his career, scoring 38 goals.
