Afghanistan-born footballer Nadia Nadim says she wants to represent women “who don’t have access and a voice” when she takes part in this year’s Soccer Aid.
Nadim fled Afghanistan for Europe with her mother and four sisters when she was 11 after her father was executed by the Taliban.
She took up football at a refugee camp and went on to have a stellar career, including playing for Manchester City and representing Denmark.
Following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, women’s rights in Afghanistan have been severely restricted, and they are banned from competitive sports.
It has led to fierce debate over Afghanistan’s sporting status, with calls for England’s men’s cricket team to boycott their Champions Trophy match last month.
Nadim, 37, says that Soccer Aid presents a chance to reach a different type of sporting audience – and that through it, she hopes to make more people aware of the issues women have accessing sport in Afghanistan and beyond.
“I think it’s very important, me being there represents what is possible,” she told BBC Sport. “It doesn’t even have to be Afghan girls. For me, it is about representing women who don’t have access and a voice.
“I want to inspire, but also show the ones in power that if someone is given a second chance it can be beautiful.
“It is important to create that awareness, to all the audience, and to be up to date as to what is going on around the world.”
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