Nigerian forward Rasheedat Ajibade has cemented her status as a key figure at Atletico Madrid Femmine by claiming the club's Player of the Year award for the 2023/2024 season.
This marks the first time the attacking midfielder has received this individual accolade, a testament to her consistent and impactful performances throughout the campaign.
Since joining Atletico Madrid in 2021, Ajibade has established herself as a pivotal piece of the team's attacking puzzle. Her reliability has translated into regular first-team appearances, showcasing her talent on the biggest stage.
This past season proved particularly remarkable for the 24-year-old, as she enjoyed a career-defining campaign with the “Red and Whites.”
Rasheedat Ajibade: A consistent force in Red and White
The official announcement of Ajibade's Player of the Year award came via Atletico Madrid's social media channels on Wednesday.
Quantifying her impact, Ajibade notched an impressive 10 goals and 8 assists throughout the 2023/24 season, directly influencing 18 goals for her team.
Her consistency paid dividends on the final day of the season. Ajibade netted the crucial winning goal against Villarreal, securing a vital UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification spot for Atleti.
Beyond club recognition: Leading the Super Falcons to Olympic glory
Ajibade's brilliance extended beyond club football this season.
She donned the captain's armband for the Nigerian national team, the Super Falcons, and led them to qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics women's football event for the first time since 2008.
Now, they face a monumental challenge in Group C, dubbed the “group of death”, where they will battle footballing giants Brazil, Japan, and Spain. Notably, the latter two have lifted the World Cup trophy, with La Roja the reigning champions.
While Nigeria is the lowest-ranked team in the group, their recent performance at the World Cup, reaching the second round, instills hope that Ajibade and her teammates can create magic once again.
