“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.
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Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role
Inter cruise to title number 20
Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals
HAT-TRICK HERO
Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final
GOING UP
The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar
Palau soldier on alone
The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner
Disasters brewing
There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines