Malala Yousafzai, the world-renowned advocate for female education and winner of a Nobel Peace prize, has revealed herself to be a Birmingham City fan.

The 27-year-old was treated and educated in Birmingham after an assassination attempt in Pakistan when she was 12. She attended Edgbaston High School and has retained her ties with the city – and the football club that bears its name.

Malala used her Instagram account to post footage of herself at Blues’ FA Cup clash with Newcastle United, a game the home team lost 3-2 but one in which they showcased the best of the rejuvenated club.

READ MORE: Gary Lineker agrees with Krystian Bielik amid Birmingham City prediction

READ MORE: Jay Stansfield opens up on 'tough' few weeks with message to Birmingham City

She explained how she came to be a fan: “In my first year of high school, a teacher brought me a gift: a Birmingham City Football Club jersey. If I accepted it, she said, I could support this team only from that moment on.

“As I’d spent the first 15 years of my life in Pakistan, I was new to UK football. But I knew one thing for sure: In football, loyalty is everything — and I was about to make a lifetime commitment. I reached out my hand for the jersey and my teacher said: ‘The Birmingham team is called the Blues and the fans are called Bluenoses. Now you’re one of us — the Blues.’

“This was not a problem until I married Asser, a lifelong fan of Newcastle United. ‘I’m sorry,’ I told him, ‘but I committed to Birmingham long before I met you. I’m a Bluenose’.

“Tonight we finally got to see a match between both teams! It was the most amazing and surreal experience. Congrats to Newcastle (and Asser) who prevailed in an exciting match. While I wish all the players well, I’m still rooting for the Blues. Always.”