Nadia Nadim
Growing Through Football and Beyond
Sport: Football
Club: HB Køge (former Manchester City, PSG, AC Milan)
Country: Denmark
Dual Career:
Professional footballer at the highest international level while completing a medical degree and becoming a qualified doctor, combining elite sport with academic and professional development.
Advice for Young Athletes:
Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to say no. Understanding your limits and making decisions based on what feels right for you is key to successfully balancing sport and life beyond it.
As part of the EDU-DC project, the Ambassador’s Team brings together inspiring football players who share their personal journeys of combining sport with education and life beyond the pitch. Their stories highlight how dual careers can empower athletes to grow not only as players, but also as individuals.
We had the opportunity to speak with Nadia Nadim, an Afghan-Danish professional footballer whose career spans some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. Alongside her success in football, Nadia has pursued an equally demanding academic path, becoming a qualified doctor — a powerful example of what a dual career can look like at the highest level.
Education has clearly played an important role in your journey. Why was it so important for you?
For me, education has always been important because I’m the kind of person who wants to grow, no matter what I’m doing. I want to see progress — whether it’s in football or outside of football. I don’t think you should have to sacrifice one for the other, and the dual career approach gave me the opportunity to excel in both.
How did you manage to balance football at the highest level with such demanding studies?
I made a clear plan. I sat down and figured out how I could succeed both in playing for top clubs and in my studies. Becoming a doctor normally takes six years, but for me it took more than eleven years. I adjusted the pace — instead of taking two semesters per year, I took one. It was about finding what worked for me at that time.
What kind of support helped you along the way?
I had some really great advisors, especially Jens Bundgaard, who played a big role in supporting me. Knowing that I had someone like him to guide me, help me manage deadlines, and understand where to ask for flexibility made my daily life much easier. Having that kind of support system is incredibly important.
Were there moments when balancing both became overwhelming?
Yes, especially during exam periods. There were times when I felt like I was being challenged more than I could handle. But having a dual career system gave me flexibility and reduced stress, because I knew I had options and support if things didn’t go perfectly.
Did you ever have to choose between football and education?
Yes, sometimes. There were moments when I chose football, and other times when I chose my studies. It really depended on what was most important at that moment. I think it’s important to listen to yourself and not be afraid to say no when needed.
What advice would you give to young athletes trying to follow a similar path?
Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to say no. You need to understand your limits and make decisions based on what feels right for you at that moment. Having that awareness gives you control over your path and helps you manage both sport and life outside of it.
Why is it important to think about life after football early on?
I’ve seen many players struggle after their careers end, especially with the feeling of emptiness and not knowing what to do next. That can be very difficult. Starting to build something outside football early makes that transition much easier.
How has pursuing a dual career shaped you as a person?
All the work I’ve put into both football and my education has made me stronger. It gave me the freedom to choose what I want to do and which path to take. I feel confident in where I am in life because I invested in both sides of my development.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success means growth. Feeling like you’re growing every day — even in the smallest way — and moving forward, whether that’s on the pitch or outside of it.