In 2023, Aitana Bonmatí became the second Spanish footballer to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or Feminin award.
Born on January 18, 1998, in Sant Pere de Ribes, Bonmati began her football journey in the famed FC Barcelona youth academy, La Masia. The club officially launched its women's section in 2002, paving the way for Bonmatí's career. At 17, she made her professional debut wearing the iconic Blaugrana jersey.
Blessed with great technical ability, astute vision, and an eye for goal, the midfielder has been instrumental in Barça's near-dominance of European football in recent years. They have won four consecutive Spanish Liga F titles and two UEFA Women's Champions League crowns in three years.
Aitana Bonmatí's Spectacular 2023: Ballon d'Or and World Cup Glory
Bonmati and Alexia Putellas made Barça's midfield tick, and both found the net, as Chelsea were vanquished 4-0 in the final of the 2021 UEFA Women's Champions League.
That was the side's first Women's Champions League crown and, after being beaten by Lyon in the 2022 final, they regained the title with a 3-2 victory over VfL Wolfsburg in 2023.
Putellas won the Ballon d'Or in 2021 and 2022 but, after she suffered a serious knee injury in July 2022, Bonmati filled the gap by moving into a more attacking role. She has since blossomed into the best player on the planet with Putellas now playing as a forward to accommodate her teammate.
Bonmatí has also been a cornerstone of the Spanish national team, contributing significantly to their success in major tournaments. She scored three times in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and received the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player as Spain claimed a first women's world crown in New Zealand and Australia.
An extraordinary 2023 for club and country was capped by Bonmati succeeding Putellas as the winner of both the Ballon d'Or Femenin and FIFA Best awards, cementing her position as the world's best player.
