Aitana Bonmatí Secures Third Consecutive Ballon d’Or in Paris Ceremony
PARIS – Aitana Bonmatí of FC Barcelona has been awarded the Ballon d’Or for the third year running at tonight’s ceremony in Paris,recognizing her as the world’s best female footballer. The prestigious award acknowledges an extraordinary year of performance for both club and country.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony marks a meaningful milestone for the women’s game, with this year featuring parity in awards presented to both male and female players – a development Bonmatí acknowledged as “what we have worked towards for a long time.” The award underscores Barcelona’s dominance in women’s football and Bonmatí’s central role in their success.
“My third time in a row here, and I still can’t believe it. Astonishing,” Bonmatí said on stage accepting the award. “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,becuase I think it has been a year with an exceptionally high level,above all among my teammates,who had a great year.”
Receiving the award from Spanish legends Andrés Iniesta and Xavi Hernández held particular meaning for Bonmatí, who cited them as childhood idols. “Also to receive it from the hands of Andres Iniesta, one of my idols as 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.”
Bonmatí also expressed deep gratitude to FC Barcelona, stating, “I owe Barcelona everything, this is the club of my life. I hope to represent this badge for many more years.” She emphasized the collective effort behind individual accolades, adding, “For awards like this, we don’t achieve them alone. It’s thanks to the collective work of the team.”
