Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmati retained the women’s Ballon d’Or for the second successive season on Monday.
The 26-year-old Bonmati made it back-to-back triumphs after helping Barcelona win the Spanish league, the Spanish Cup and the Champions League.
Bonmati joined Barca team-mate Alexia Putellas in winning two titles since the women’s trophy was first awarded in 2018.
She beat her teammates Caroline Graham Hansen of Norway and Salma Paralluelo of Spain as Barcelona completed a 1-2-3.
Aitana Bonmati, FC Barcelona and Spain midfielder:
“About the comparisons with (Lionel) Messi? I don’t want to be compared with Messi. It’s too difficult to achieve what he did. He’s unique in the football history. We are two different people. I don’t want to compare (myself) with him. I am so proud of what I’ve achieved.”
“I don’t feel more pressured because I have two Ballon d’Or awards. I can assure you that. But I always say that one of my strongest points that have carried me to this moment is my mindset. Because you can have quality and work hard, but is always important to have the right mindset. Always aiming for more. When they tell you that you’ve played a good game, and yet you want to get better. This is something I always carry with me. I’ve suffered quite a bit because of it. Because I always want more.”
“This is a source of pride both individually and collectively. These two Ballon d’Or awards carry so much hard work behind them. Not only during the past few years, but during so many more. Those days back in small clubs as a young girl helped me grow. Followed by so many years here with Bara. This is my 13th year here. So many things I’ve experience here at home.”
“I feel so proud. But I always say that these individual awards, I owe them to my teammates, both in Bara and the Spanish national team. In the end, if we hadn’t won the Champions League with Bara or the Nations League with the national team, it would be very unlikely that I’d be here again holding this Ballon d’Or. I feel privileged to be a part of this generation that’s winning so many collective titles. Thanks to them we are able to attend these big galas.”
