Unexpected experiences

367 fun facts in this category

As a kid, she thought she was Spider-Man — not that she had powers, just was Spider-Man.

She couldn't understand drills in football training unless she visually saw them first.

She even played Gaelic football for Cavan up to U16 level.

Having her Uruguayan compatriots in the squad helped her adapt and communicate quickly during her first professional stint in a Portuguese-speaking country.

As a child, she modeled for the Schalke merchandise catalog.

She has spoken about how difficult it was learning a second language and trying to make friends when she first arrived in Australia.

She visited Neymar's 32nd birthday celebration in 2024.

Speed was part of her sporting life before senior football: she ran the 100 metres and 1000 metres at student championships.

One of her first pro experiences included singing songs in Portuguese in the shower with Marta and Alex Morgan.

She once tried basketball for a year because her dad teased her it might help her grow taller.

Before becoming a football pro, Sandra represented Namibia in fistball at the U18 World Championships in 2009.

Atlético Madrid once surprised her by flying her mother to Spain for a match, the first time her mother had watched her play live. Ajibade marked the occasion by scoring.

She shared how her mental health struggles began in college, where she experienced depression, burnout, and anxiety from the pressures of balancing academics and soccer.