Aitana Bonmatí Conca is a normal 26-year-old girl born in Sant Pere de Ribes, a municipality in Barcelona. This is the birthplace of the player who is currently the best player in the world in the last two years. A young woman who likes to be at home and who, in her ‘spare time’, works magic with her feet and gets fans out of their seats.
The spotlights come on and the iconic Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris falls silent. On Monday 28 October, the French city once again hosted one of the most magical nights in football: the Ballon d’Or 2024 gala. Last year, the big winners were Leo Messi and Aitana Bonmatí, the latter once again nominated and favourite to lift the award.
The night was expected to be a historic one for Spanish women’s football. FC Barcelona were going to clearly win the award for best women’s club and the final podium of the Ballon d’Or was going to be red and blue: Aitana Bonmatí, Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo. The Catalan club had done the unique thing of winning a hat-trick of titles, that is to say, winning everything possible and with great superiority.
In the previous edition, it was clear that this award would go to Aitana Bonmatí, but on this occasion, there was a little more excitement because of the nomination of Graham Hansen, who also had an extraordinary year. However, the Catalan lifted the award for the second year in a row, which isn’t surprising either, because Aitana has something very special about her football that makes her different.
The stadium falls silent when Aitana Bonmatí has the ball at her feet. You never know what can happen when she has the ball in her boots. She makes everything around her play better. Spain and Barça don’t play in the same way when she is absent, although that happens very rarely.
If there is a ‘but’ to be said about Aitana’s season, it is not having won the Olympic Games with Spain. Surely she also has that ‘thorn’ stuck in her side, as she was really looking forward to it after lifting the Nations League. Her performances in this competition were also of high note, but the results didn’t go with the Spanish team this time. Her self-demanding nature will make her an even better player for not having achieved this achievement.
Aitana Bonmatí, a player without limits:
Where is Aitana Bonmatí’s limit? Perhaps this is a question with no possible answer. The azulgrana amazes and wonders in every game she plays. Just when you think she has reached her best, she goes and does something that makes you believe that her ceiling is even higher. His numbers are incredible and you have to take into account that he is a midfielder: he played a total of 57 games and scored 26 goals in the whole season with FC Barcelona and Spain.
Aitana Bonmatí keeps her feet on the ground and only thinks about football. Perhaps that is the secret of her success. In her speech, she wanted to thank and share the trophy after receiving perhaps the ‘most individual’ award that exists: “This isn’t achieved alone, I am very fortunate to be surrounded by players who make me better every day. Thanks to the staff, to the club’s workers, without you we wouldn’t achieve so much success. Thanks to the fans for such beautiful moments like the final in San Mamés. And thanks to Caroline, who could also be up here, for making me a better player and for the connection we have on the right wing”.
The finishing touch to such a beautiful night for Spanish football was the announcement of Rodrigo Hernández as the winner of the Men’s Ballon d’Or. A well-deserved award for both of them and an image that will go down in the history of our football. Both are examples on and off the pitch for their actions. The class and elegance of our midfielders deservedly won. An award that, years ago, seemed to be based only on goals.
There is plenty of Aitana Bonmatí left for a long time. FC Barcelona renewed her until 2028 and it seems that she will continue to triumph for a long time at home. The player will be remembered for being a good footballer and for being a great reference for future generations. Her success is already part of the history of Spanish women’s football and the Ballon d’Or is just a small token of the recognition that someone like Aitana deserves.
Translated by Marcos Rodríguez.
Main image: @FCBfemeni.
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