Football pundit and former Manchester City player Nadia Nadim discovered the news of her mother's death while covering a World Cup match on Tuesday (22).
Denmark international Nadim, who currently plays for American club Racing Louisville, was part of ITV's panel for the coverage of Denmark against Tunisia on Tuesday.
She left the broadcaster’s studio during the match and announced the tragic news on Instagram on Wednesday (23).
Her 57-year-old mother died after being hit by a truck on Tuesday morning on the way back from the gym, Nadim said in a statement.
While announcing the news, the 34-year-old player said that she has 'lost the most important person in my life', adding that 'words can not 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," she wrote on Instagram.
"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 gone be soon, (more information to follow)Please come and show her the love , respect and prayers she deserves."
When the Taliban executed her father, army general Rabani, Nadim was forced to flee Afghanistan in 2000. At the age of just 11, she fled the country with her mother and four sisters, selling everything they owned.
The journey from her home in Herat was a long one, via Pakistan and then on to Italy with the aid of human traffickers in a bid to get to Britain where she had family. Instead they found refuge in Denmark.
She became interested in football while living in a refugee camp in Denmark and eventually joined the national team. Nadim went on to play in the European championships final in 2017 where she scored the opening goal but could not prevent her side losing 4-2 to the Netherlands. Her international debut for the country came in 2009, and she went on to score 38 goals in 99 games.
Nadim is also an ambassador for this year's World Cup in Qatar.
“Everyone at ITV, those working with Nadia in Qatar, and the wider company, is deeply shocked and saddened by this. tragic news. We have offered Nadia our support and our thoughts are with her and those closest to her at this incredibly difficult time," said an ITV spokesman.
Anti-Racism protesters come out in support of refugees outside the Cladhan Hotel on September 13, 2025 in Falkirk, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)