Female football legend, Afghan-Danish refugee, UNESCO ambassador, doctor... The list of impressive accomplishments goes on for Nadia Nadim, the 35-year-old powerhouse who is making waves for her inspiring story, sporting prowess and dedication to putting her (300k-strong) Instagram platform to good use. Nadim's latest endeavour? Being the new face of H&M's Move campaign alongside icons including actor Jane Fonda and fellow footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović, with the aim of inspiring the world to get moving this year.
Here, she speaks exclusively with ELLE UK about the positive power of sport, fighting stereotypes and refusing to be put in a box...
Nadia Nadim on discovering her passion
'I was born in Afghanistan and raised there until I was around 10 years old, when I had to flee the country due to war. I guess it was fate that I somehow ended up in a refugee camp in Denmark, where I had my first encounter with sports and with football in particular. I'm a very curious person so I used to wander around the camp area to see what the other kids were doing, and that's how I discovered the football fields. I used to stand outside the fence and watch other kids play. That's the first time I saw girls playing football, and I fell in love. I got truly obsessed with the game – and since then, everything changed for me. Until I was 10, I didn't really know what was happening around me, I was just following. Life was passing me by and I was just trying to survive – but from there, I started to find my own identity. And that was mostly because of football.
'I didn't know that becoming a professional football player was even an option, I just knew that it made me happy and made me feel free. Of course, I used to watch men's football and dream of the stadiums and how it must feel to walk out with the fans going crazy. But I could never have imagined being a full-time professional and playing for some of the biggest clubs around the world. Every time I'm on the field, I forget everything around me and I feel like a kid again – just like I did the first time.'
On stereotypes
'Twenty years ago, when I started playing football, there were a lot of stereotypes. It wasn't easy to be a female athlete or a professional football player – especially with my background, religion and culture. You are "supposed" to do other things, and I had never seen Afghan female football players. When I was around 18, I discovered the power of the game and I really fought to do what I love. And by fighting for it, I also realised that I could be a part of changing peoples' point of view – especially the people who didn't understand what I was doing, or put me in the box they thought I belonged in as a girl.
'By continuing to be successful, I can show them that there aren't any boxes and that at the end of the day, you can do whatever you want to do regardless of your gender and background. That's something I'm really passionate about: trying to find ways of giving kids the tools and access they need to believe that they can do what they want, no matter who they are, where they were born or how they look.'
On changing attitudes
'The attitude around women in sport has changed a lot globally in recent years – for the better. Women's sports and football are finally getting the respect they deserve. The last two World Cups and Euros really showed how popular women's football has become. It's amazing to see and amazing to have been a part of that [as a player for Denmark's national team]. Because, why not? You put in the same effort and make the same sacrifice as anyone else! You should get the same recognition. Of course, we're not totally there yet but we're well on the way to equality and being seen for what you do rather than who you are.'
On the power of sport
'Sport can be an educator and a teacher. It has the power to change the world and help it progress for the better. I saw it in England during the Euros, and it was amazing to see women's teams doing well, and with so many fans. It also had a huge effect on the League itself. I want to see that everywhere in the world: for every child and every girl to feel included, have the opportunities to access sport and just keep moving!'
On pursuing medicine
'It's cliché to say, but it's true: when there's a will there's a way. I really wanted to do both [professional football and a medical degree], so I made it happen. I wanted to become a doctor because I felt helping people and giving back was important. Studying medicine has also helped me a lot in my football career, and given me the knowledge to understand my injuries and how to deal with them. They go well hand-in-hand, but I'm also super excited to one day be fully committed to being a doctor and be in places where I can have a bigger impact or even save peoples' lives... To be that person who can actually do something to help.'
On the future
'I want to keep building on what I started when I was 18. I want to inspire people and teach them about the importance of sport and movement and being active. I've been doing that as much as I can already but I want to do more, and I'm hoping my partnership with H&M will help me to reach these goals.'
Clementina Jackson is the Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health UK, covering everything from celebrity style and catwalk trends to buzzy brands and the cult products you need to know about (and shop before they sell out). She also commissions first-person and long-form fashion features, oversees shopping content and tests out the latest industry innovations. Clementina previously worked as Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, during which time she profiled high-end designers, interviewed everyone from Priyanka Chopra to Jane Fonda, and launched the Cut To Size franchise to shine a light on size-inclusive fashion. During this time, she was also named as a PPA 30 Under 30 award winner. Having worked in journalism for more than six years, Clementina has also written for the likes of Harper’s Bazaar, Red, Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveller and Italy Segreta, covering everything from luxury travel, lifestyle and restaurants to photography and interiors.
