ITV pundit Nadia Nadim has revealed her heartbreak after her mother was hit by a truck and killed on her way back from the gym.
The 34-year-old former Denmark Women's striker has been providing analysis for ITV during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and was on the panel for her nation's goalless draw with Tunisia in Group D on Tuesday.
After the final whistle, viewers noticed that Nadim was not around to discuss the match, with ITV announcing that she had to leave early.
Nadim has since confirmed the reason for her sudden exit as she learned her mother, 57, had been killed unexpectedly as she made her way home from the gym. It is not clear where the tragic accident took place.
Nadim posted a black square on social media and wrote alongside it: "Words can not describe what I'm feeling. I have lost the most important person in my life and it happened so suddenly and unexpectedly. She was only 57.
"She was a warrior who had fought for every inch of her life. She didn't give me life once but twice, and everything I/we are is because of her.
"I have lost my home and I know nothing is gonna ever feel the same. Life is unfair and I don't understand why her and why this way. I love you and I will see you again."
Nadim added: "Her funeral is gone be soon... please come and show her the love, respect and prayers she deserves."
Born in Afghanistan, Nadim and her family moved to Denmark when she was a child and she began her footballing career with B52 Aalborg and Team Viborg.
Nadim went on to play for Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain and made more than 100 appearances for Denmark.