She received massive criticism, but calls the Qatar role a “no brainer”
The Danish football player Nadia Nadim (34) shared on April 1 this year that she is an ambassador for this year’s World Cup, which is played in Qatar. She received a lot of criticism for the election.
Several other profiles, including David Beckham, have similar jobs.
The World Cup in Qatar has received much criticism due to the conditions of the migrant workers in the country and the view of human rights.
On Monday afternoon, Nadim lined up for the Danish press during Denmark’s national team gathering. For the first time, Nadim explains why she has agreed to be an ambassador, a job she gets paid for.
– The reason why I said yes to the ambassadorship is actually quite simple. I was born in the region and know the conditions. I know how the women feel, but the World Cup and football in general are a huge tool and can make a huge difference, she says to Danish TV 2and continues:
– You can educate people and you can change people’s opinions. I feel like I’ve done it with my life too.
Nadia Nadim is one of the national team’s most profiled players, and has played almost 100 international matches for Denmark. Nadim has been a key player in clubs such as PSG and Manchester City, but currently plays in American Racing Louisville.
Had done it for free
The 34-year-old says she is not an ambassador for the money.
– I get money for this, but it’s not that much. I would have done it even if I had not received money for it. I even paid to go there.
– One, because I know I’m going to make a difference. To because I love football. I want to watch the matches. Quite simply, she says, and believes that the choice was a «no brainer».
– I had not done it
The captain of the Danish national team, Pernille Harder, has previously said that she would not do the same if she had received the offer.
But the teammates’ choice will not affect the cooperation on the national team, she believes.
– Although Nadia is an ambassador for Qatar, she has nothing against me because I am gay. I had not done it, something Nadia knows well, says Harder to Danish TV 2 sport, after she heard Nadim’s statement.
– Even though we have different attitudes and different beliefs about what we should do based on our values, we can continue to work together, talk together, together and play football together.
– Will it create conflicts?
– I know it will not be. I mostly believe that it is the media that must create these conflicts. We have talked about it, and the whole team is the only one that Nadia is back, says Harder to TV 2 Sport, and believes that Nadim can help Denmark reach far in the European Championships.
When Ada Hegerberg was asked during a press conference in April what she thought about the 34-year-old’s new role, she simply replied:
– That it’s just as well that I do not comment on it.
– Could you have done something of the same? followed up NRK’s reporter.
– No, absolutely not, Hegerberg replied in cash.
Also captain Maren Mjelde would not do the same as the Dane.
– I do not think I have to comment so much on it, but I can say that it is a special choice to do so, Maren Mjelde told TV 2 when she was asked about the election in April.