"Thank you to France Football for this; for the third time, it really could have gone to anyone. If it was possible to share it, I would, because I think it has been a year with an exceptionally high level, above all among my teammates, who had a great year. Also to receive it from the hands of Andres Iniesta, one of my idols since I was little, alongside Xavi."
"I learned my football from them, to this day I thank them for all that they have taught me. Thank you to them for everything that they have done in football. Also thank you to the organisation for improving things year-on-year. This year, we have the same awards as the men, which I welcome; that is what we have worked towards for a long time."
Aitana Bonmatí secured her third consecutive Ballon d'Or, becoming the first woman to win the award three years in a row. She finished ahead of Arsenal players Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo in the voting. Bonmatí played a pivotal role in Barcelona's league triumph and scored the semi-final winner as Spain reached the Euro 2025 final, bringing her to three knockout-stage goals at major tournaments for Spain, level with Jenni Hermoso. She thanked France Football, her teammates, Barcelona, and credited Andres Iniesta and Xavi for influencing her development, and welcomed award parity with the men's ceremony.
Read at Soccer News
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]