Racing Louisville FC forward Nadia Nadim suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament Wednesday while playing at Portland Thorns FC, the club’s medical staff has confirmed.
This injury in Nadim’s left knee came a year and a week after the striker tore her right ACL in September of 2021. Then, she vowed to rehab and return in time to represent Denmark in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 tournament, an objective Nadim accomplished along with scoring six goals in 11 Racing Louisville appearances this season.
Similarly, the 34-year-old plans to apply her regular fighting spirit through another rehab process — just the latest challenge for a player known for fleeing the Taliban’s rule as a child refugee, blooming into a soccer star and graduating medical school. Nadim intends to become a surgeon when her playing career ends.
“Obviously I’m devastated for myself, but I also feel sad for my teammates and my club because I can’t help them through the last few games of the season,” Nadim said. “I have faced obstacles and rough times since I was a child, so you might say I’m an expert in overcoming them. I was born a fighter, and I know that nothing can break me down.”
“I feel so much for her,” added Racing Louisville’s head coach, Kim Björkegren. “She has worked hard to be back after her last injury, and she deserves better than this. But as we all know, Nadia is mentally strong, and as a club we will do all we can to support her in returning physically stronger as well.”
Two games remain in Racing’s 2022 season. Louisville plays away to Angel City FC at 8 p.m. Sunday before hosting the KC Current at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Lynn Family Stadium.
