Nadia Nadim

Nadia Nadim is an inspirational, female, football

player born in Afghanistan, famous for achieving
her hopes and dreams despite facing difficult
challenges. Nadia experienced many life changes
when she had to escape Afghanistan and become
a refugee. She now plays professional football
for Denmark.

Early Life
Early Life

Nadia was born on 2nd January 1988 in Herat, Afghanistan. Nadia had a happy
childhood living with her mother, father and four sisters. Nadia’s father really loved
sport, especially football. He bought Nadia and her sisters a football but they used it to
play other ball games, such as volleyball.

Life as a Refugee

When Nadia was just twelve years old, she found out that her father had died. Nadia’s
mother made the difficult decision to leave Afghanistan. Life would be difficult there
now for six women living alone as women were not allowed to work or go to school.
The Nadims had family in the UK where they could seek refuge so she sold the family’s
valuables and used the money to buy forged passports. The journey would be long
and tiring. The Nadim’s would have to travel through Afghanistan in a minivan to
Pakistan and then on to Italy via an aeroplane. Nadia and her family all hoped that
the dangerous journey would bring them a better life than the one they left behind.

In Italy, Nadia’s family were told to board a lorry which would eventually take them
to London. After a few days of travelling, they were told to disembark. They soon
discovered that they were not in London or the UK. They were in Denmark. Completely
exhausted from their journey and not being able to speak the language, the family had
to stay in a refugee camp.

While staying at the refugee camp, Nadia and her sisters started attending school.
This was a world away from life in Afghanistan where the sisters did not have access
to education. During their free time in the afternoons, Nadia started to play football
and it was here that she fell in love with the game that would soon become her career.

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FootballCareer
Football Career

Nadia was recognised for her talent by football scouts and started to play professional
football for a number of teams across Denmark. Nadia’s family were very supportive
of her new career as long as she kept doing well in school. She was selected to play
international football for Denmark in 2009 in the Algarve Cup. This is a tournament
for national women’s teams. She has since played for Denmark many times. She is
the first woman to play for Denmark despite originally coming from another country.
Nadia even won a silver medal in UEFA Women's Euro tournament in 2017.

The Importance of Determination

Nadia has said, "I have one goal in life; I want to be the best in everything I do."
Nadia’s life is inspiring young girls to follow their own hopes and dreams. It is her
story of determination that shows you can achieve anything, despite facing difficult
challenges. She says, "What I've been through as a kid forged me into this person I
am.” Nadia's childhood taught her the importance of determination.

Did You Know...?

Nadia can also speak nine languages

and is studying to become a doctor!

Glossary

inspirational: A person who

encourages others.

refugee: A person who is forced to

leave their country to get away from
war or violence.

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Questions
1. Where was Nadia originally from? Tick one. 

Afghanistan
Denmark
Pakistan
Italy

2. Which two football tournaments are mentioned in the text? Tick two.

UEFA Women’s Euro Tournament

Algarve Cup
World Cup
Carabao Cup

3. When and where was Nadia born?




4. What other talents does Nadia have?

5. What colour medal did Nadia win in the UEFA Women's Euro tournament in 2017?

6. Look at the paragraph that starts:

Nadia has said, "I have one goal in life; I want to be the best in everything I do."

What impression does this give you about Nadia's personality?





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7. Compare Nadia’s life in Afghanistan to her life in Denmark in 25 words or fewer.





8. How would you feel about Nadia today if you were her family?





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