When Nadia Nadim suffered a season-ending knee injury last fall, the Racing Louisville FC forward quickly made it a goal to return in time for this summer’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.
It should come as no surprise that the star soccer player, medical school graduate and humanitarian reached her objective yet again, earning a call up announced Thursday to represent Denmark at this year’s European championship tournament.
“I’m obviously super excited to get back with the national team,” Nadim said. “I remember thinking when I got injured that I had only a short time to be ready, and I’ve worked extremely hard to be in that position. It’s a big thing for me.”
A childhood Afghan refugee who represents her adopted country, Nadim will be available for Denmark’s friendlies June 24 against Brazil and June 29 versus Norway before Euro 2022’s group stage, which runs from July 8-16. Knockout play continues through July 31.
Nadim’s connection to Euro 2022 goes back to October of 2020. She scored twice in Denmark’s 3-1 away win over Italy, with the Danes needing that victory to qualify. The striker now sits on 99 international appearances.
“Hopefully when I come back to Louisville,” she said, “I’m going to be in sharper shape and do more damage on the field for us.”
Nadim is among a growing number of Racing players that will stay busy during the upcoming international window and beyond.
With NWSL play pausing following this weekend — Racing plays Friday at the Washington Spirit and not again for two weeks — Alex Chidiac (Australia), Savannah DeMelo (U.S. U-23s), Jaelin Howell (U.S. Women’s National Team) and Freja Olofsson (Sweden’s U-23s) will join their nations for friendlies during the window.
The league resumes July 3 when Racing plays at the Orlando Pride. Nadim will remain on international duty along with Emily Fox (USWNT) and Satara Murray (Jamaica), who are set to compete in the Concacaf W Championship, a 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympics qualifier.
While the squad hasn’t yet been announced, Rebecca Holloway (Northern Ireland) also figures to be in play for her nation after it made the Euro field for the first time this year.
