Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati wins women’s Ballon d’Or

• Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati has made history by becoming the first player to win the women’s Ballon d’or three consecutives times
• Bonmati, who is a graduate of La Masia, grew up idolizing Iniesta and was honored to be announced as the winner by the former Barcelona man

Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati has made history by becoming the first player to win the women’s Ballon d’or three consecutives times. The 27-year-old clinched the Ballon d’or Feminin award on Monday evening to add to her trophy collection which also includes the ones she won in 2023 and 2024.

Bonmati won the award ahead of her international teammate Mariona Caldentey, who finished second. Speaking after her triumph, the Spaniard said it was an incredible feeling to win the most prestigious individual award in the women’s game.

ALSO READ: Ousmane Dembele wins the 2025 Ballon d’Or

“It’s incredible this feeling. I never thought when I was a kid that I could achieve this because I didn’t think women’s football can exist. I had idols like Andres Iniesta and Xavi and when I was a kid I only saw them on TV. It’s incredible to be here and make history.” Sky Sports quotes Bonmati.

Bonmati boasts a lengthy list of accolades. The Spaniard was crowned the FIFA Best Women’s Player for two consecutive years – 2023 and 2024. She has also been named the UEFA Women’s Champions League Player of the Season thrice, which is also the number of times she has won the competition with Barcelona. She has also won five league titles, nine Copas de la Reina and five Spanisb Super Cups with the Spanish giants.

Bonmati, who is a graduate of La Masia, grew up idolizing Iniesta and was honored to be announced as the winner by the former Barcelona man. Barca are the most successful side as far as the women’s Ballon d’or is concerned.

The Spanish giants have produced the last five winners of the prestigious trophy. Alexia Putellas won the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Ballon d’Or before Bonmati began her dominance in 2023. The only players who have won the award while not playing for Barca are Ada Hegerberg (2018) and Megan Rapinoe (2019).

Besides Bonmati, the other winners on Monday night include Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman who was named best women’s coach and Hannah Hampton who clinched the inaugural award for best women’s goalkeeper. Former England goalie Mary Earps presented the inaugural women’s Yachin trophy to Hampton on the stage.

Wiegman won the best women’s coach after guiding England to triumph in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 in the summer. The Lionesses edged out Spain in penalty shootouts after the game ended 1-1 in extra time.

ALSO READ: The story of Carlos Bacca, footballer who was a bus conductor

England’s Alessia Russo, who is arguably one of the best players in the world, got the better of Bonmati in the UEFA Champions League and Euros finals, but only managed a third place finish in the women’s rankings. Besides Russo, England had other four players in the top 10 – Chloe Kelly (fifth), Leah Williamson (seventh), Lucy Bronze (ninth), and Hannah Hampton (tenth).

Women’s Ballon d’or Top 20 Rankings

1. Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, Spain)
2. Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal, Spain)
3. Alessia Russo (Arsenal, England)
4. Alexia Putellas (Barcelona, Spain)
5. Chloe Kelly (Manchester City/Arsenal, England)
6. Patri Guijarro (Barcelona, Spain)
7. Leah Williamson (Arsenal, England)
8. Ewa Pajor (Barcelona, Poland)
9. Lucy Bronze (Chelsea, England)
10. Hannah Hampton (Chelsea, England)
11. Clàudia Pina (Barcelona, Spain)
12. Marta (Orlando Pride, Brazil)
13. Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona, Norway)
14. Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, Zambia)
15. Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea, France)
16. Cristiana Girelli (Juventus, Italy)
17. Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current, Malawi)
18. Melchie Dumornay (Lyon, Haiti)
19. Klara Bühl (Bayern Munich, Germany)
20. Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich, Denmark)