Our Reporter
Rasheedat Busayo Ajibade, born on December 8, 1999, in Lagos, Nigeria, is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Atlético Madrid in Spain and the Nigerian women’s national team, the Super Falcons. She’s popularly known as “Rash” or “The Girl with the Blue Hair” because of her signature bright blue hairstyle, which she proudly wears on the pitch.
Rasheedat Ajibade completed her primary and secondary school education in Lagos. While there’s little public information about her higher education, her focus from a young age was clearly on football, where she has dedicated most of her time and energy to growing her career on and off the field.
Ajibade began her professional journey with FC Robo in Lagos, where she played from 2013 to 2018. Even as a teenager, she stood out in the Nigerian Women’s Premier League and was praised for her performances. 2018 she moved to Europe, signing a contract with Avaldsnes IL in Norway. Two years later, she joined Atlético Madrid in Spain, where she has since become a key player.
Internationally, she has represented Nigeria at every level from U-17 and U-20 to the senior team. She made her senior debut at the WAFU Cup in 2018. Over the years, she’s played at several major tournaments, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup (2019, 2023), Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), and Olympic qualifiers.
Ajibade scored a key penalty against South Africa, which was crucial to Nigeria’s qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics. She’s known for her versatility, and she can play as a winger, central striker, or even midfielder.
One of the only moments of controversy in her career came during the 2022 WAFCON semi-final, when she received a red card that ruled her out of the third-place match. It was a tough moment for her, but she bounced back stronger.
Ajibade is a devoted Christian. She often shows her faith during games, and once wore a t-shirt that read “Thank You Jesus” under her jersey. She launched her brand, RASH, which includes merchandise and grassroots initiatives. Her foundation also runs medical outreach programs for young footballers, offering training in first aid and CPR.
Rasheedat Ajibade’s net worth is estimated to around $1 Million.
