A Different Kind of Player: The Rise of Aitana Bonmatí
A few years ago, if you asked someone in the U.S. if they knew of Aitana Bonmatí, not many people would say yes. The 26-year-old quickly changed that, especially within the last year. Bonmatí started to win one award after another. Now, in 2024, if anyone asked about the best women soccer players in the world, it would be impossible not to hear Bonmatí’s name a few times. Or in every single answer. Read on to learn more about the rise of Spanish soccer star Aitana Bonmatí.
How It All Started
It seems like being a player for FC Barcelona is a recipe for success; Bonmatí’s teammate Alexia Putellas is an example. However, Bonmatí and Putellas both worked hard to reach where they are today. Barcelona has been an essential part of Bonmatí’s career. She has been at the club since she was 13 years old.
Before Barcelona, Bonmatí showed her love for the game from a young age. She would play with boys only because not many girls played soccer at that time.
Joining Barça At the Right Time
It can be disheartening to consider the numerous exceptional female soccer players we might have missed witnessing if they hadn’t been given a single opportunity. Bonmatí’s case is no exception. Her journey suggests she was destined to play for Barcelona, and when you see her in their jersey, it feels like a perfect fit.
Bonmatí first joined her town’s club, which is called Club Deportiu Ribes. After spending around five years there, she made the move to Club de Futbol Cubelles. Just like at school, she was the only girl on the team. Bonmatí’s career may have come to an end after that or, at the very least, been hindered. This is because in Catalonia, a rule states that girls can’t play in mixed teams after they reach around 14 or 15 years old.
So Bonmatí would have to leave her club, but then everything changed. A fax from Barcelona asking if she wanted to go to trials made the impossible dream of playing for the historic club a reality. Despite all of this, Bonmatí fought for her place in the club. She never missed a training session or a match. When she was finally called for the first team, it became clear that her mentality made all the difference.
Winning It All
Bonmatí’s resilience and hard work have existed since she started passing the ball. Her potential shined in unfortunate circumstances–Putellas’ ACL injury–but they pushed Bonmatí into the spotlight. She held onto that chance, and she isn’t letting go of it anytime soon.
With the year that Bonmatí had in 2023, it wasn’t surprising that she won several awards. The Spanish player won the 2023 Ballon d’Or, UEFA Women’s Player Of The Year Award, and also FIFA’s Women’s Player of the Year. Suddenly, the world of women’s soccer was witnessing the rise of a generational player.
What Is To Come
Now, the expectations for Bonmatí are higher than ever. Following a season where she won it all and scored 18 goals, along with creating 21 assists, everyone is waiting for what is next. But what could come next after the year that Bonmatí had? With Barça, she won the league title, the Champions League title, and Supercopa de España.
With Spain, Bonmatí won the tournament that every player, male or female, dreams of: the World Cup. She was also awarded the Golden Ball. In addition, BBC named Bonmatí one of the world’s 100 most influential women for 2023.
However, Bonmatí knows that her story is far from over. “It’s true that at 26, I have a decent list of accomplishments, but I’m still hungry for more. The day I don’t have that hunger and ambition is the day I’ll retire from professional football. Today, I still have that spark inside that makes me compete and train every day at the highest level. Also, I still don’t have a Euros or an Olympic medal. There are still things to accomplish,” she said in an interview with the Guardian.
Bonmatí Off the Pitch
Along with being a great player on the pitch, she does what she can off the pitch to better the community. Bonmatí is an ambassador for Johan Cruyff Foundation, which aims to promote sports among kids and young people. Joining this specific foundation was like a full-circle moment. Now, Bonmatí, who wears the number 14 for Barcelona, the same as Cruyff, is tied to his name for one more time. This time, the number is associated with her own legacy as well.
She is also an ambassador for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Bonmatí’s efforts to speak up for everyone make her career even more admirable. During her acceptance speech after winning the Ballon d’Or, Bonmatí reminded everyone that being a soccer player is more than just playing the game. It is also about being a role model.
“As role models we have a responsibility on and off the pitch. We should be more than athletes and keep leading by example and fighting together for a better, peaceful and equal world,” she said.
What Really Matters For Bonmatí
Every single award that Bonmatí won so far may be the main reason why everyone knows and admires her. To Bonmatí, what is more important is how she influenced people. “At the end of the day, when my career is done, all the awards and titles that I will have won are great but knowing that you’ve made a lot of people happy is for me what is the most gratifying part of it,” she said in her interview with the Guardian.
Every moment in Bonmatí’s career holds significance. Countless events have contributed to shaping her into the player she is today. However, some moments stand out more prominently than others, such as her victory in the WWC. When viewed collectively, these moments, regardless of their scale, paint a broader picture. This picture illustrates how Aitana Bonmatí is a different kind of player.
Featured image via Getty Images
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