17 October 2023 , 08:44
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Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati is expected to win this year’s Ballon d’Or Feminin to cap a remarkable year of accolades for the 25-year-old.
The World Cup winner will reportedly replace two-time winner Alexia Putellas at football’s pinnacle, while seeing off four Lionesses nominees – Mary Earps, Millie Bright, Georgia Stanway and Rachel Daly – in the process.
According to Catalan newspaper, Sport, Bonmati will collect the award alongside seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi after his unparalleled career was given its crowning glory with Argentina at the men's World Cup in Qatar.
The Barcelona midfielder has cut herself one of the best women’s footballers in the world over the last 12 months and was tipped to finish off her heady title collection after taking home every gong possible in the women's game.
After seeing off Wolfsburg 3-2 in the Women's Champions League final with Barcelona, Bonmati was crowned UEFA Player of the Tournament, while also seizing the top scorer award in the Spanish Cup with two goals, both of which arrived in the final.
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Her role in helping Barcelona claim a domestic league and cup double, particularly in the absence of the injured Putellas, earned her the crown of UEFA's Player of the Year award.
At the Women's World Cup in June, the midfielder’s inimitable influence and tempo was on full display and was duly recognised with the tournament’s Golden Ball, awarded to the top Women’s World Cup player after Spain's victory over England.
The impressive list of accolades saw Bonmati poised nicely for a first Ballon d’Or, though the Barcelona star has repeatedly insisted that the honours do little to satiate her passion for the game.
Bonmati impressed against England in the World Cup final"Whenever I'm asked this question I always answer the same thing: I'm focused on my work, on the day to day, which is what will lead me to this type of award,” she said.
Bonmati, along with former Manchester United full-back Ona Batlle and Barcelona forward Mariona Caldentey, was recalled into the Spanish national team squad ahead of the Women’s World Cup after months ostracised following a 15-player boycott against then-national team boss Jorge Vilda and his contentious management style.
Returning from the self-imposed exile, Bonmati helped Spain to a first-ever Women's World Cup triumph. The midfielder has been particularly outspoken in the fallout from the tournament in which shamed Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales kissed compatriot Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony. The 67th edition of the Ballon d'Or will take place on 30 October at the Châtelet Theater in Paris, France.