Spain and Barcelona’s Bonmati wins Women’s Ballon d’Or

Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmati won her second successive Women’s Ballon d’Or after leading her club to a historic continental quadruple of titles and claiming the Nations League with her country.

The 26-year-old playmaker joins teammate Alexia Putellas as the only Woman to win the Ballon d’Or twice since the award’s inauguration in 2018.

Already considered an all-time great of the Women’s game, Bonmati was the standout performer as Barcelona romped to a trophy-laden 2023/24 season.

The Catalans won every trophy available to them last term - the Spanish League, the Copa de la Reina, the Supercopa de Espana and a second-successive Women’s Champions League.

Bonmati scored a goal and put in a player-of-the-match performance as Barcelona beat Lyon 2-0 in the final of the Champions League to claim their third title in four seasons.

A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, the diminutive midfielder was also named Player of the Season by UEFA for her six goals and six assists during her side’s successful European campaign.

With eight goals and 11 assists in Spain’s Liga F, Bonmati was equally influential in guiding Barcelona to a fifth-straight league title.

The 2023 World Cup winner added the inaugural Women’s Nations League to her resume in February, when she scored Spain’s opener in their 2-0 win in the final against France.

She was again selected by UEFA as the overall player of the finals for her performances and goals in the semi-finals and final.

Only a shock defeat in the Olympics semifinal against Brazil prevented Bonmati from having the chance to secure a remarkable six titles for club and country in one season.

In April, Bonmati was named Sportswoman of the Year at the Laureus Awards, becoming the first footballer to do so, and was rewarded along with her Spain teammates for winning the Women’s World Cup in August 2023. 

(Agencies)