LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Racing Louisville FC’s newest addition is none other than Nadia Nadim. The dominant forward had 10 goals and four assists, helping Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to its first Division 1 Féminine title earlier this year. So, it's safe to say all eyes are on Nadim.
What You Need To Know
- Nadia Nadim is Racing Louisville FC’s newest forward
- Nadim had 10 goals and four assists helping Paris Saint-Germain to its first Division 1 Féminine title
- Nadim and her family lived in a refugee camp in Denmark after fleeing from Afghanistan
- Nadim chose to come to Louisville to play soccer, hoping it will challenge her on and off the field
After spending the last two seasons with PSG, Nadim was a member of the Portland Thorns from 2016 to 2017 and England's Manchester City in 2018. Racing and Nadim agreed to a contract that includes allocation money that runs through 2023.
“That expectation slash pressure, which I really enjoy. I think you want to be in places where there is this expectation and pressure because that's where you improve, and that's where you keep moving,” Nadim said.
Born in Afghanistan and forced to flee the country at just 11 years old after the Taliban killed her father, Nadim has overcome more than what you just see on the pitch. Nadim, her mother and four sisters fled to Denmark, the country she now calls home and where she discovered her love for football.
Nadim hopes that sharing her story helps others who are going through similar experiences.
“I know if I can help one person, people who are maybe struggling with something, had a rough beginning in life. I think that's the reason I'm talking about it, to help others," she said.
The 33-year-old brings more than what you just see on the pitch. Nadim is fluent in nearly seven languages and is in the process of completing her last semester of medical school, specializing in reconstructive surgery as she soon becomes Dr. Nadim.
“As we are building this club, in the first year and the second year, it's about getting the right characters in this club that require the right characteristics, and Nadia is one of them. We were selective about the type of experiences we brought in and look at what she brings,” Christy Holly, head coach for Racing Louisville FC, said.
Nadim is always up for a challenge.
“One of the reasons I wanted to come to the city, first is because I thought it was a challenge, because it's a new team and you want to be part of starting from scratch and be a part of writing history,” Nadim said.
Holly and Nadim have crossed paths before, in 2014 and 2015, when Nadim was with the former Sky Blue FC of the National Women's Soccer League.
Racing Louisville Head Coach Holly said Nadim will be available for Sunday’s match as they host the Washington Spirit, but it is still unclear if Nadim will start or play.