The heartbroken ITV World Cup pundit says she has “lost the most important person” after her mum’s death forced her off the air

HEARTBROKEN ITV World Cup pundit Nadia Nadim has paid tribute to her late mother after she was tragically crushed and killed by a digger.

The Afghanistan-born Denmark international, 34, who works as a pundit for ITV in Qatar, was suddenly forced to leave the studio during Wednesday’s World Cup clash between Denmark and Tunisia.

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Nadia, a former fugitive, was part of the channel’s coverage during the goalless draw but was absent from the studio after the game.

ITV confirmed she had left the studio early but gave no explanation as to why she had been sent away so quickly.

She later revealed the reason for her absence on her Instagram as she paid tribute to her mother Hamida Nadim, 57, describing her as “the most important person” in her life.

Nadia and her mother were forced to flee Afghanistan when she was only 11 after her father, the army general, was assassinated by the Taliban.

Taking to Instagram, the former Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain striker wrote: “Tuesday morning my mother was killed by a truck. She was on her way back from the gym.

“Words cannot describe what I feel. I lost the most important person in my life and it was so sudden and unexpected.”

She continued: “She was only 57 years old. She was a warrior who had fought for every inch of her life. She gave me life not once but twice and everything I/we are is because of her.

“I lost my home and I know nothing will ever feel the same again. Life is unfair and I don’t understand why her and why like that. I love you and I will see you again.”

She added: “Her funeral will be soon (more info to come). Please come and show her the love, respect and prayers she deserves.”

Southeast Jutland Police said the 57-year-old was struck from behind by what was known as a wheeled excavator near her home in the town of Uldum, some 120 miles west of the Danish capital Copenhagen.

The driver of the backhoe missed Hamida as she was walking down the street home from the gym.

Police say the driver dodged an oncoming truck on the narrow country road and collided with the mother of five.

“A driver had overlooked the woman walking by the side of the road,” duty manager Torben Wind told Danish publication Horsens Folkeblad.

“An oncoming truck was coming towards the driver and it was a bit tight which is why the driver ended up crashing into the woman.”

Hamida had moved to the small village of Uldum in 2018 after Nadia and her sister Giti helped her buy a house as a thank you for her support for her family.

Tributes to Hamida poured out on Nadia’s Instagram post.

Helle Thorning-Schmidt, the former Prime Minister of Denmark, wrote: “Oh Nadia. Words cannot describe how tragic this is. thoughts for you.

England and Manchester United player Ella Toone wrote: “Thinking of you.”

And Dutch and Lyon native Danielle van de Donk commented: “I send all my love and strength.”

Nadia, one of Denmark’s greatest footballers of all time, was previously named Danish Woman of the Year.

In addition to Nadia, Hamida leaves behind four daughters: Giti, Diana, Muskan and Mujda.