FLOATING ON AIR

After adding the World Cup to her vast collection of silverware, Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati is untouchable

- Asif Burhan

“Im on the air right now,” said Aitana Bonmati moments after Spain won the Women’s World Cup in Sydney in August. For those watching the performances of the sinuous midfielder, it appears she has long-since been floating on a higher plane.

Such were Aitana’s performances for both club and country that Alexia Putellas, the two-time Ballon d’Or award winner, was left on the substitutes’ bench in the finals of both the Women’s Champions League and World Cup while Aitana starred. With Putellas sidelined through injury for the majority of the past season, Barcelona did not attempt to replace her. Instead, they signed England defensive midfielder Keira Walsh and released Aitana further forward to devastating effect.

Only one player had more shots than her at the Women’s World Cup (20) and alongside her fellow playmaker in the Spanish team, Jenni Hermoso, she was in the top ten for completed passes (327), a category usually reserved for defenders under less pressure on the ball. Yet mere statistics do not do her justice; Aitana’s touch and style always make her a pleasure to watch in a way you cannot measure. Her ability to control the flow of a match to her own will is reminiscent of some of the greats of the game.

She had already dominated the European club season, registering the highest number of assists (eight) in the Champions League, as well as finishing as the second-highest goalscorer. It was no surprise when the UEFA Technical Observer Panel nominated her as the Champions League Player of the Season, and in August she was voted the overall UEFA Women’s Player of the Year.