Aitana Bonmati, a midfielder for Barcelona and Spain, defeated several Lionesses talents to win the prized 2023 Ballon d’Or Feminin.
After winning Liga F and the Champions League with Barca, Bonmati had an incredible 2022–2023 season. During the summer, he was instrumental in Spain’s World Cup campaign in Australia and New Zealand.
The 25-year-old is receiving her first Ballon d’Or honour; in 2021 and 2022, her international and club partner Alexia Putellas won the trophy back-to-back. In August, Bonmati was also named the Women’s Player of the Year by UEFA.
Barca defeated Wolfsburg 2-0 in the final to win the Champions League for the second time in the team’s history, even though they also won Liga F and ended 10 points clear of their nearest rivals, Real Madrid.
In the midst of a player disagreement, Spain’s World Cup victory also came against all odds, but it was severely tarnished by former RFEF Luis Rubiales, who kissed striker Jenni Hermoso on the lips following the country’s victory over England in the final. Since then, he has been barred for three years from all football-related activities.
Along with Olga Carmona, Patricia Guijarro, Mapi Leon, Salma Paralluelo, and Alba Redondo, Bonmati was one of six Spaniards nominated for the prize. Additionally, six Barca players were included in the nomination process.
In order to win, Bonmati defeated Rachel Daly, Millie Bright, Mary Earps, and Georgia Stanway, four prominent English tennis players. Tuesday is the Women’s Nations League group stage’s fourth round; none attended the event in Paris.
