Maybe (still) women's football is not at the level it was Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo in men's, but it makes history and pushes boundaries.
Her name is Fence Bonmati, is 27 years old, comes from Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Two years ago she won the “France Football” Ballon d'Or and she's not giving it to anyone!
The three most valuable individual football trophies in a row were won only by the legendary Frenchman Michel Platini, of course Leo Messi (Ronaldo did not), and now she - the girl of the "ball player" with the number 14.
The award in Paris three nights ago, what symbolism, was presented to her by the legendary Andres Iniesta. He was a midfielder too, and he knew everything about the ball. However, he did not win the Golden Ball, which is perhaps an injustice for a guy who, among other things, decided the World Cup final.
Aitana raised a valuable trophy, a nugget of gold, for him as well.
- I'm here for the third time in a row and I still can't believe it. Unbelievable. Thank you France Football for this award, which could have gone to any of my great teammates. Barcelona is my life and I hope to wear this crest for a long time. It means a lot to me that I received it from the hands of Andres Iniesta. I learned football from him and Xavi - she said.
The 2024/2025 season was also marked by Bonmata's incredible battle with health problems. Just days before the start of the 2025 European Championship, she ended up in hospital with viral meningitis and her performance was in doubt. However, she managed to recover and play. And not only that - she scored the winning goal in the semi-final against Germany, leading Spain to its first ever European Championship final.
The “Fury” ultimately lost to England on penalties, but Bonma's heroic comeback was an inspiration to many.
"A goal in a game like this is super special. If I can help the team make history, that's extraordinary," Bonmati said at the time.
At club level, Bonmati was once again instrumental for Barcelona, winning the domestic treble and reaching the Champions League final, where Barça lost to Arsenal.
So, she didn't win the European Championship with Spain, she didn't win the Champions League with Barcelona, she lost both finals, but despite everything, she was the best.
She scored 12 goals and provided six assists in La Liga, while she found the net nine times in 11 appearances in the Champions League, including a goal in the semi-final against Chelsea. She was awarded the UEFA Player of the Season award.
Bonmata's list of trophies is impressive: seven Spanish league titles, three Champions Leagues, nine Copa del Rey trophies and five Spanish Super Cups. She has been named the Champions League's best player three times, and in 2023 and 2024 she won the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award.
After her latest Ballon d'Or, her third in a row, she is in the running for the best female player of all time. Her ability to take control of the game at crucial moments, to come back from a hospital bed after a serious illness and lead her team to the final, confirms why she is at the top. Her story inspires...
Bonus video:
