Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade, 26, made headlines on May 5, 2026, not for what she did on the pitch, but for what she posted off it — openly celebrating Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League semi-final win over Atlético Madrid, the Spanish club where she spent several formative years of her career.
Following Arsenal’s victory, Ajibade took to social media to amplify Bukayo Saka’s post-match dedication to God, writing in Nigerian Pidgin: “If e reach your turn carry the glory give to yourself. For us on this side, God gets the glory always. CL finalist, Make we use this one hold body.”
The sentiment closely mirrors Saka’s own post-match expression of gratitude, which the Arsenal and England winger had directed toward God and the club’s supporters. Ajibade’s amplification of that message is consistent with her well-established public faith — she has previously worn a “Jesus is King” armband during Super Falcons fixtures and regularly uses her digital platforms to share Gospel-oriented content.
Her support for Arsenal also appeared to predate the result. In a separate post on the same date, Ajibade wrote: “I don’t wanna hear NOTHING from nobody. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING,” accompanied by red and white heart emojis and the hashtags #Arsenal, #UCL, and #COYG — indicating she had been following the match as a supporter.
What makes the celebration noteworthy is Ajibade’s significant history with Atlético Madrid Femenino. She joined the Spanish club in 2021 and went on to win two major domestic trophies during her tenure: the 2020/21 Supercopa de España Femenina and the 2022/23 Copa de la Reina. Her time in Madrid is widely regarded as a defining chapter in her development as one of Africa’s most prominent female footballers.
Since departing Atlético Madrid, Ajibade has been plying her trade with French club Paris Saint-Germain — which introduces another layer of intrigue to the story. Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side, having secured their place in the final, are now set to face either Bayern Munich or PSG at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest. The second semi-final between those two clubs will determine Arsenal’s opponents in the showpiece event.
Should PSG advance to meet Arsenal in Budapest, Ajibade would find herself in the unusual position of choosing between her employer and a club she has publicly supported. Whether her allegiance would shift in that scenario remains an open question.
Ajibade’s reaction has drawn widespread attention in part because it underscores the increasingly visible role African women’s footballers play in the broader football conversation — not just as athletes, but as cultural figures with strong fan identities and social media reach. Her OON and OLY national honours further reflect her standing both within the sport and in Nigerian public life.
