NAZIRA, FOLLOWING A DREAM FROM AFGHANISTAN TO MILAN

She only turned 18 a few months ago and has only been in Italy a little over a year after travelling to this unknown land from Kabul. Nazira Khair Zad, who plays in goal for the Afghanistan women's national team. She also skis and is a good runner. Born in a village in the Bamiyan district, she fled on 21 August 21 in order to escape the Taliban incursions, so that she could save herself and preserve her right to be a woman and to play sports.

She was forced to leave her family, who are now in Iran (though her sister currently resides in Germany), but has found here in Milan the very freedom that was denied to her in her homeland. She's been given the chance in Italy to express her talent and to follow her dream of becoming a footballer without fear of reprisal.

Nazira, after going through the various stages of the legal process, now has refugee status and Fondazione Milan followed and subsequently got in touch with the Afghan goalie, offering her the chance to train with the Women's Primavera at the PUMA House of Football. The staff and the team welcomed her as a teammate, making her feel right at home.

The gesture was in line with the Club's commitment to social inclusion. Just over a year ago, AC Milan - together with Fondazione Pangea Onlus - decided to support ten women who decided to leave Afghanistan in order to start a new life in Italy. The Club supported the women as they sought to integrate with life here. Now, Nazira has a smile back on her face (as she awaits the chance to see her family once more), sending a strong message of hope to the many girls who have been denied the right to follow their dreams.