Gift Monday

Gift Nyakno Monday (born 9 December 2001) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a striker for the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the Nigeria national team.

Quotes

• For me it was tears of joy and also it was a feeling of me wanting this platform for so long, wanting this for so long and then the special person I wanted to be there was not there.
• In the quarterfinal, I didn't do my arrow celebration because that day was just for my dad. I just wanted to dedicate that day for him.
• Every day is for him too, but that day was just like, this one is special because I was just coming back from his funeral and I just wanted everything to be about him.
• This is why I say I love challenges, because when I see someone ahead of me, that is what I want, because then I tend to push myself to meet up and to pass.
• But when I see that I am the same as others, there is nobody chasing me to go ahead of whatever standard I am. So right now, I am doubling my work because I have teammates that push me.
• Personally, I love competition.
• I love to fight for something great, I love to compete because then when I win, I am so proud of myself.
• It takes a lot of determination to be at this level, and it takes a lot of self-belief because I always believe that I am a born champion.
  • Washington Spirit vs Gotham FC - Gift Monday fuelled by mixture of grief and excitement for NWSL Championship ESPN (21 November 2025)
• My dad was more than a father, he was my foundation, his sacrifices, his wisdom, his hard work shaped the kind of person I am today.
  • Falcons’ star Gift Monday mourns dad with  emotional tribute The Nation (3 November 2025)
• I had no option because I knew that as a striker I should always be present in the box if my team mate is ahead of me because I need to create support options for them and be available.
• She does not speak English and I don't speak French, but somehow we communicate. We just understand each other. So we just brought that connection from outside the pitch onto the pitch because we are both forwards and we need each other.
• Sometimes we use Google Translate off the field, but it is not always correct.
  • 'Just run!' - How Gift Monday and Rosemonde Kouassi's connection powered the Washington Spirit to the NWSL final ESPN (19 November 2025)
• Playing in such a competitive environment helps you grow mentally and physically.
  • Exclusive: Washington Spirit’s New Star Gift Monday Opens Up on Her Transition from Spain to the US Sports Boom (3 May 2025)