Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati has won the 2023 Women’s Ballon d’Or, beating a host of Lioness stars to claim the coveted award.
Bonmati enjoyed a wonderful 2022/23 season, winning League F and the Champions League with Barca, before playing a key role in Spain’s World Cup campaign in Australia and New Zealand in the summer.
It is the 25-year-old’s first ever Ballon d’Or and comes after club and international team-mate Alexia Putellas lifted the gong in consecutive years in 2021 and 2022. Bonmati was also named UEFA Women’s Player of the Year in August.
While Barca won League F to finish ten points clear of nearest rivals Real Madrid, the Catalan giants had to come from 2-0 down in the final against Wolfsburg to win the Champions League for the second time in the club’s history.
Spain’s World Cup triumph also came against the odds amid a player dispute, but was heavily marred by former RFEF Luis Rubiales kissing striker Jenni Hermoso on the lips after the nation’s win over England in the final. He has since been banned from all football-related activities for three years.
Bonmati was one of six Spaniards nominated for the award alongside Olga Carmona, Patricia Guijarro, Mapi Leon, Salma Paralluelo and Alba Redondo, as well as one of six Barca players nominated.
Her win saw Bonmati beat England stars Rachel Daly, Millie Bright, Mary Earps and Georgia Stanway. None were present at the ceremony in Paris, where the fourth round of the Women’s Nations League group stage will take place on Tuesday.
