Aitana Bonmati wins 2023 Ballon d’Or | OneFootball

FC Barcelona and Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí has been crowned the winner of the 2023 Ballon d’Or Féminin.

The Catalan is the second Barcelona player to win this individual trophy, following Alexia Putellas, who won it two years in a row in 2021 and 2022. Both of them were risen up in La Masia.

Bonmatí was one of the players who led Spain this summer in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Her performances helped the team to lift the trophy, and she was named the Player of the Tournament for her efforts. Bonmatí scored three goals and assisted twice in seven matches.

Above all, she led Spain. In all aspects. On the field, cheering her teammates on when things weren’t as good as they all wanted to. Plus, organising the midfield, as she used to be the owner of it.

She also led her team off the field. The Catalan answered every single question after matches, to both national and international media.

Bonmati’s stunning season

Bonmatí won a lot of trophies this season. For Barcelona, she achieved the Liga F, Supercopa and Champions League titles. And of course, she won the World Cup with her country.

The Catalan also started with individual titles. On the 1st September, she was named the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year. It was something predictable after having most of the UWCL Player of the Match awards and being the best player of the competition as well.

It has to be said that her advanced position on the field helped her to be closer to the goal and have more chances to score. With Alexia’s injury, Bonmatí took her place, and she was much more visible in attacking actions.

FC Barcelona players winning the Ballon d’Or

Aitana Bonmatí is not just another Ballon d’Or winner, she is now the third Barça player in a row to win the award. Alexia was the first Spanish player to earn the award in 2021, and she made history again in 2022 by making it back-to-back triumphs. Bonmatí continues Alexia’s legacy.

While she has denied being focused on winning individual trophies, the Barça player has worked so hard for many years to become a better player. And she will certainly work much harder to keep on improving after this. Not to be better recognised individually, but to be a better and more developed person overall.

“She has always been an ambitious and constant person, and she knew — when she was a kid — exactly what she wanted. She is not swank at all”, it is said by her close circle.

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