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Aitana Bonmati: The Spanish Ballon d’Or Feminin Winner

Aitana Bonmati is the current 2023 Ballon d’Or winner who took over the reins of the best female footballer in the world from club and national side teammate Alexia Putellas.

Bonmati is one of the most distinguished footballers in footballing history, with one of the most impressive seasons ever produced by any footballer alive.

She is part of the the ever-impressive Barcelona side that was once the home to Agba Baller Oshoala and the current home of Barcelona’s youngest ever female player Vicky Lopez.

Player Profile – Aitana Bonmatí Conca

Aitana Bonmatí Conca, born on January 18, 1998, in Sant Pere de Ribes, Spain, is a distinguished midfielder for FC Barcelona and the Spain national team.

She rose through La Masia, she joined Barcelona’s first team in 2016, becoming instrumental in their domestic and European successes, including winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2021.

Aitana is known for her technical prowess, vision, and creativity, Aitana controls the game’s tempo and is a constant threat to defenses with her precise passes and dribbling. Bonmati has earned multiple titles and individual accolades, underscoring her significant impact on and off the field.

Player Profile Overview

Player Name Aitana Bonmatí Conca
Date of Birth 18 January 1998
Place of Birth Vilanova i la Geltrú, Catalonia, Spain
Height 1.61 m
Weight 110 pounds
Nationality Spanish
Current Club Barcelona
Position Midfielder
Preferred Foot Right
Youth Career Ribes
Cubelles
Barcelona
Spain U17
Spain U19
Spain U20
Senior Career Barcelona B
Barcelona
Spain
Catalonia
Awards & Recognition 2023 The Best FIFA Women’s Player
2023 Ballon d’Or Féminin
2024 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year
2022 Golden Player Woman Award
2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Golden Ball
2022-23 UEFA Women’s Player of the Year
2x UEFA Women’s Champions League Player of the Season
2022 UEFA Women’s Championship Team of the Tournament
2023 IFFHS Women’s Player of the Year
2023 IFFHS Women’s Playmaker of the Year
2015 UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament
2019-20 Copa de la Reina Final MVP
2022-23 Supercopa de España Femenina Final MVP
2019 Catalan Player of the Year
2x UEFA Women’s Champions League Final MVP
3x UEFA Women’s Champions League Squad of the Season
4x Premi Barça Jugadors
3x IFFHS Women’s World Team
2023 World Soccer Women’s World Player of the Year
2023 Globe Soccer Best Women’s Player of the Year
2023 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11
3x IFFHS Women’s UEFA Team
2024 UEFA Women’s Nations League Player of the Finals

Aitana Bonmati’s Early Life and Background

Aitana Bonmatí, born on January 18, 1998, in Sant Pere de Ribes, Spain, displayed a passion for football from a young age, often playing with boys in her neighbourhood.

She started her journey at the local club Ribes, and joined FC Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, in 2012. There, she developed her technical skills and football intelligence, drawing inspiration from her heroes, Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta.

Balancing her education with rigorous training, Aitana’s formative years at La Masia were pivotal in shaping her into the talented and dedicated professional footballer she is today.

Aitana Bonmati’s Playing Style and Strengths

Aitana Bonmatí is a versatile, creative and technically gifted midfielder known for her exceptional ball control, dribbling, and accurate passing. She excels in both short and long-range distribution, often acting as the crucial link between defense and attack with her keen vision and ability to break defensive lines.

Her tactical intelligence allows her to find and exploit spaces, while her high work rate and stamina ensure she contributes both offensively and defensively throughout the match.

The Emergence of Aitana Bonmati: Career Highlights

Bonmatí joined CD Ribes at seven, the only girl among 400 boys. Initially a defender, her coach likened her to Carles Puyol but moved her to midfield to influence attacks.

After four years, she switched to CF Cubelles for their style of play, focusing on ball handling and touches. Despite being teased for her short stature, playing with boys she improved her strength and intensity.

Aitana Bonmati Moves to Barcelona

Aitana Bonmatí joined Barcelona as a teenager, starting in their Juvenil-Cadet ranks. In 2013, she won the league and Copa Catalunya with the team, and the following season they went undefeated in the league.

Despite losing the Copa Catalunya final on penalties, Bonmatí was successful but questioned the effort due to the toll it took. Initially not aspiring to play professionally, she considered attending the University of Oregon after hearing about professional women’s football in the US. In 2015,

Barcelona professionalized its women’s team, and Bonmatí decided to stay. She moved to Barcelona B, playing key roles and scoring fourteen goals to win the Segunda Division, Group III. By season’s end, she was promoted to the first team by manager Xavi Llorens.

First Team Debut and Consecutive Copa de la Reina Wins

Bonmatí debuted for Barcelona’s first team at the end of the 2015–16 season, playing as a false 9 and assisting in a Copa de la Reina quarter-final. She continued as a substitute in the tournament, featuring in the semi-final win against Levante and the final loss to Atletico Madrid.

The following season, she played in the Copa Catalunya, scoring in both matches and securing her first senior title with a 6–0 win over Espanyol. Bonmatí made her UEFA Women’s Champions League debut and was used sparingly, making thirteen league appearances and scoring twice.

She scored in the final of the 2017 Copa de la Reina, leading to a 4–1 victory over Atlético Madrid. During the 2017–18 season, she scored her first Champions League goal in a Round of 16 match and helped win the Copa de la Reina in extra-time after replacing Toni Duggan in the match, her second major title.

First League Title with Barcelona

The 2018–19 season marked a breakthrough for Bonmatí, as she became a regular in Barcelona’s first team and Champions League, scoring against Glasgow City in the Round of 16.

She started in Barcelona’s first Champions League final, where despite a 4–1 loss to Lyon, she gained attention for a notable defensive play. She finished the season with twelve league goals and appeared in nearly all matches.

In summer 2019, despite interest from Bayern Munich, she extended her contract with Barcelona until 2022. Her performances earned her the Catalan Women’s Player of the Year award.

In 2020, she reached her 100th appearance for Barcelona and contributed to their Supercopa de España victory. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the suspension of the 2019–20 season, and Barcelona was awarded the league title, marking her first as a senior player.

Copa de la Reina MVP

During the 2020–21 season, Aitana Bonmatí played in the final of the 2019–20 Copa de la Reina, delayed due to COVID-19, where she scored Barcelona’s second goal and was named MVP.

She assisted Jenni Hermoso‘s goal against PSG in the Champions League semi-finals’ first leg and was replaced by Asisat Oshoala in the second leg contributing to Barcelona’s aggregate victory. In the Champions League final against Chelsea, Bonmatí scored a goal, leading to Barcelona’s 4–0 win and earning her the MVP title.

Her goal ranked 5th-best of the tournament, and she was included in the UWCL Squad of the Season. Post-season, Bonmatí received lucrative transfer offers but chose to stay with Barcelona despite financial incentives from other clubs.

Ballon d’Or Feminin Winner and UEFA Women’s Player of the Year

During the 2021-22 season, Bonmatí scored a hat-trick on 8 May in a 6–1 win over Rayo Vallecano and scored in a 2–1 win over Atlético Madrid in the final league match. Their victory in that match ensured that Barcelona won the league with a perfect record.

Although she started in the UWCL final on 21 May, which Barcelona lost 1–3 to Lyon, a few days later she starred in the Copa de la Reina final which Barcelona won 6–1 against Sporting Huelva.

With Putellas‘ ACL injury, Bonmatí took her place for the 2022–23 season. She excelled in the attacking midfield role, winning every tournament and being named Player of the Tournament in every event she participated.

She received the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year Award and the Ballon d’Or Féminin, achieving the most decorated season for any footballer, male or female.

Consecutive UEFA Champions League Titles

Aitana Bonmatí continued her role as an attacking midfielder for Barcelona in the 2023–24 season, while Alexia Putellas played more as a striker. On May 4, 2024, Bonmatí played the full match in Barcelona’s 4–1 victory over Granada, securing their fifth consecutive league title.

Two weeks later, Barcelona triumphed 8–0 against Real Sociedad to win the Copa de la Reina. On May 25, Bonmatí scored the opening goal in Barcelona’s 2–0 Champions League final win against Lyon, leading to their third Champions League title and their second consecutive one.

This victory also marked Barcelona’s second continental treble and first continental quadruple. Bonmatí was named MVP of the final and the tournament, with six goals and six assists and emerged as a favourite for more individual accolades.

Aitana Bonmati’s International Career

Aitana Bonmatí started her international career with the Spanish youth sides and went on to play at every youth level for the Spanish Women’s teams. She participated in the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, primarily as a substitute, and played in the final, where Spain lost to Japan.

Bonmatí helped Spain win the UEFA Women’s U-17 Euro, scoring against Germany and converting a penalty in the semi-final. She was named to the Team of the Tournament for her performances.

She also led the Spain U-19 team to victory in the 2017 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Euro, overcoming a suspension to captain the team in the semi-finals and final.

As captain of the Spain U-20 team in the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, she led her team to the semi-finals, scoring twice against Nigeria. Despite being sent off in the semi-final, Spain reached the final but lost to Japan. Additionally, Bonmatí has played for the U-18 and U-16 Catalonia national teams.

Making Her Debut for the Spanish Women’s National Team

In November 2017, coach Jorge Vilda called up Bonmatí for her first senior national team matches. She debuted against Austria and played in the 2018 Cyprus Cup, where Spain won the tournament. Her first goal for the national team came in April 2019 against England.

Bonmatí was part of Spain’s 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, playing in two group stage matches and reaching the knockout rounds, where Spain was eliminated by the United States. She scored six goals during Spain’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 qualifying matches.

In March 2020, she played in the SheBelieves Cup, with Spain finishing second. In November 2021, she scored twice against both the Faroe Islands and Scotland in World Cup qualifying matches.

Boycotting the National Team

In September 2022, Bonmatí joined Las 15, a group of players protesting the team’s organization. After receiving promises of change, she returned to the squad for the 2023 World Cup, where she was a key player.

She scored in the opening match against Costa Rica and contributed significantly in the win over Switzerland. Spain won the tournament, and Bonmatí was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player.

In February 2024, she scored in Spain’s victory over France in the UEFA Women’s Nations League final, securing her second international trophy with Spain.

Influences and Idols

Aitana Bonmatí’s heroes in football are Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta. These two legendary Spanish midfielders have greatly influenced her playing style and career, serving as her role models and inspirations.

Aitana Bonmati’s Personal Life and Interests

Aitana’s football career is deeply supported by her devoted family. Her father, Vicent Conca i Ferràs, and her mother, Rosa Bonmatí Guidonet, provide unwavering encouragement that drives her success.

She loves to travel and is a strong advocate for equality on and off the pitch, however details of her private life including her relationship status is unknown.

Conclusion

Aitana Bonmatí has emerged as one of women’s football’s most talented and influential midfielders. Her journey from La Masia to becoming a linchpin for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team showcases her exceptional skill, dedication, and leadership.

Beyond her on-field achievements, her advocacy for gender equality in sports highlights her commitment to making a broader impact. As she continues to evolve and inspire, Aitana Bonmatí’s legacy in football is set to grow even more illustrious.

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