Spain’s Aitana Bonmati wins third women’s Ballon d’Or award

Spain and Barcelona midfielder Bonmati, the first player to win the female Ballon D’Or three times wrote history.

27 -year -old Bonmati received an award with his international teammate Arsenal wing player Mariona Caldentey.

There were five UK players in the top 10. Arsenal Trio Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly and Leah Williamson, the Chelsea duo Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton, were ninth and third, fifth and seventh.

Bonmati also won the award in 2023 and 2024. This means that Barcelona players have gained honor in the last five years after the midfielder Alexia Putellas won the award in 2021 and 2022.

Speaking on the stage, Bonmati, who received the award from the Legend of Barcelona Andres Iniesta, said, “Here I can’t believe it for the third time in a row and still. It is incredible. Thank you for this for the third time for French football – I could really go to everyone.

“If it was possible to share, I think a year with a very high level has passed, first of all among my teammates who had a great year.

“Also, with Xavi to get one of my idols since I was little, I learned from them with Xavi. Football from them – thank you for everything they have taught them.

“I owe everything to Barcelona – this is the club of my life. I hope to represent this badge for many years.”

Officially called the Ballon d’Or Feminin, the award recognizes the best footballer of the year and is voted by a journalist jury.

Apart from the first 10, Arsenal defenders Emily Fox and Steph Catley were 25th and 29th respectively, midfielder Frida Maanum 27th Chelsea couple Sandy Baltimore and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd 15 and 23.

Scotland and Real Madrid midfielder Caroline Weir won the 30th in the vote.

The manager Sarina Wiegman won the Women’s Aries Award for the lions for the lions, and Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton was chosen as the best female goalkeeper.