Bonmati: Barcelona's game changer on and off the pitch

Aitana Bonmati should be revered for her unquestionable footballing talent, but her desire to advocate for the issues that transcend sport truly sets her apart.

- SONIA TWIGG

No male winner of the Ballon d’Or, such as Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, has ever had to take a stand on human rights, player welfare, or the wider issues in the game. But Bonmati has chosen to use her platform and role-model status to speak out and to try and change the future of women’s football.

In 2023, Bonmati was named Uefa women’s player of the year, also winning the Ballon d’Or and the Fifa award for best women’s player: a clean sweep of individual achievements. She was also part of the Barcelona side that won the Uefa Women’s Champions League, and the Spain team that lifted the World Cup.

Speeches at events are typically used to thank clubs and supporters, even family. When accepting her award for Uefa women’s player of the year, Bonmati used her position to take aim at those involved in the scandal that had dominated the headlines in the aftermath of the Women’s World Cup final, when Luis Rubiales forcibly kissed Jenni Hermoso.