Bonmatí Wins Third Consecutive Women’s Ballon d’Or
Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí claimed the Women’s Ballon d’Or for a third straight year, cementing her status as the game’s most dominant player after beating out former Barcelona teammate and compatriot Mariona Caldentey.
At 27, Bonmatí became the first player to win the award three times, surpassing fellow Spaniard Alexia Putellas, who won in 2021 and 2022. This achievement came despite her losing both the UEFA Champions League final to Arsenal — led by Caldentey — and the Euro final with Spain against England.
Bonmatí, who lifted the 2023 Women’s World Cup with Spain, failed to add a fourth Champions League title after Arsenal’s 1-0 victory in the final. However, she led Barcelona to a domestic treble of the league, cup, and Super Cup, which ultimately tipped the scales in her favor.
She received the trophy from Spanish legend Andrés Iniesta, whom Bonmatí described as her idol and greatest influence.
The final top 10 rankings saw Caldentey (Arsenal) in second, her teammate Alessia Russo third, Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas fourth, Arsenal’s Chloe Kelly fifth, Barcelona’s Patricia Guijarro sixth, Arsenal’s Leah Williamson seventh, Barcelona’s Eva Pajor eighth, Chelsea’s Lucy Bronze ninth, and Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton tenth.
