19 October 2023 , 12:15
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Spanish star and Ballon d'Or contender Aitana Bonmati believes women's players are still having to fight "to be treated as professionals".
Bonmati, 28, played a huge role in Spain's World Cup triumph this summer and won the Golden Ball, awarded to FIFA's Player of the Tournament. But the win was overshadowed by ex-RFEF President Luis Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso.
Hermoso, who has stated the kiss was not consensual, was back in the Spain squad this week for the first time since the scandal. Rubiales was later given a restraining order of going within 200 metres of Hermoso, as a criminal investigation into his conduct continues.
And Hermoso's national teammate Bonmati, believes there is still much work to be done before elite female footballers are treated in equally in comparison to their male counterparts. Although she did state progress has been made, the favourite for the 2023 Ballon d'Or award added that the fight to be seen as equal is ongoing.
"Of course (when asked if women's football has a way to go to achieve equality)" Bonmati told the BBC World Service. "Over the past few years we had a lot of changes but there is still a lot to improve.
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"We are always building for equality to have good conditions, to be treated as professional footballers.
"I would like to keep fighting because I would like the next generation to have a better life than we have today and I think past generations fought for us to have a better life today."
In the wake of the Rubiales scandal, Bonmati and the rest of the World Cup squad said in a statement that they would not play for their country again with the ex-president still in position. Rubiales did eventually resign in September, with manager Jorge Vilda - a close ally and controversial figure - also sacked. Vilda was last week appointed Morocco women's manager.
Spanish players initially threatened a boycott of last month's friendly against Sweden - in their first game since the tournament final. But the players called it off after reaching an agreement with the RFEF.
Bonmati is now set to play again with Hermoso for the first time since the World Cup when Spain face Italy and Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League at the end of the month.
New coach of Spain's female football team Montse Tome talks during a press conference (Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images)Meanwhile, new Spain boss Montse Tome has explained Hermoso's previous absence from the Spain squad following the World Cup final. Tome confirmed there was never any issue between the two when Hermoso was absent from the September camp.
"In the last call I explained why she wasn't there, but after the camp we got in touch," Tome said. "Maybe that opened the door to speculation, but at the time there was no problem with her. We didn't call her up because we thought it was the best thing for her.
"I have noticed her improvement. We are excited to see her, for her to return to training and to start thinking about the future as our goal is to be in the Olympic Games."