"me being there represents what is possible."
Nadia Nadim says she wants to represent women “who don’t have access and a voice” when she takes part in Soccer Aid 2025.
Nadim fled Afghanistan for Europe with her mother and four sisters at 11 after the Taliban executed her father. She took up football at a refugee camp and went on to play for Manchester City and Denmark.
Following the Taliban’s return in 2021, women’s rights in Afghanistan have been severely restricted.
The situation has sparked debate about Afghanistan’s sporting status, with calls for England’s men’s cricket team to boycott their Champions Trophy match last month.
Nadia Nadim says Soccer Aid is a chance to reach a different sporting audience and raise awareness about women’s limited access to sport in Afghanistan and beyond.
She said: “I think it’s very important, me being there represents what is possible.
“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.”
The 37-year-old will play for the Rest of the World XI against an England side co-managed by Wayne Rooney and Tyson Fury at Old Trafford on June 15.
The match will raise money for children’s charity Unicef.
Unlike other participants, Nadia is still an active professional, currently playing for AC Milan in Serie A Femminile.
Nadia joined Milan at the start of the 2024-25 season after a career at the top level in Europe and the USA.
Milan’s women’s team, formed in 2018, has yet to win a major trophy.
Nadia said: “It is very different from other women’s leagues [I have played in] – they are still trying to find their way.
“I like challenges. I like when you have to fight for things. The reward you get afterwards are better.
“We need to change the women’s game and improve it. By going to Italy, I wanted to do something for Milan. They have a big men’s club – I thought I could do something for women.”
Milan has introduced a pioneering maternity policy this season. If a player becomes pregnant in the final year of her contract, the club will offer a 12-month extension for financial security.
She continued: “So many female athletes still have to choose – if they start a family, they won’t be on a contract and could be out for a year or two.
“This allows you to still compete at the highest level. I know Milan is one of the highest teams in Europe to do this. In the US, you can freeze your eggs at some clubs – European teams need that mentality.
“Having these kind of measures make it easier to be a top athlete and feel you can start a family.”
Nadia Nadim spent a season and a half at Manchester City and has been impressed by the growth of women’s football in England, helped by the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 triumph.
She said: “A lot has happened in England since Euro 2022. The mentality has switched and it is beautiful to see.
“It makes me proud to see how far the England women’s game has moved. And is well deserved. We make the same sacrifices [as men], the minimum you expect is to be treated equally.
“Italy is behind where England was a few years ago. Not only the league itself, but the mentality about how women’s football has been seen.
“It was something which was worked on when I was in England, so it will take time.
“I’ve been to a lot of Man Utd games but never been on the field, so now I’m going to experience from the other side.
“My husband is a really big United fan, so he’s even more excited than me.”
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