Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmati on Monday won her second successive women's Ballon d'Or, after leading her club to a historic continental quadruple of titles and claiming the Nations League with her country. The 26-year-old playmaker joins team-mate Alexia Putellas as the only woman to win the Ballon d'Or twice, since the award's inauguration in 2018. "This cannot be achieved alone, I am very lucky to be surrounded by players who make me better every day," Bonmati said after receiving the award.

It's the first time we've beaten Lyon. I'm proud of the team, and we know that with these fans we have, we can't fail," Bonmati said after the crowning moment of her season, which was played in front of 51,000 spectators in Bilbao's San Mames stadium. A product of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, the diminutive midfielder was also named Player of the Season by UEFA for her six goals and six assists during her side's successful European campaign.

With eight goals and 11 assists in Spain's Liga F, Bonmati was equally influential in guiding Barcelona to a fifth-straight league title. The 2023 World Cup winner added the inaugural Women's Nations League to her resume in February, when she scored Spain's opener in their 2-0 win in the final against France. She enjoyed another stellar year in 2024 after helping Barcelona win the UEFA Women's Champions League, scoring the opening goal against Lyon in the final. Bonmati’s honours continued at the international level, too, and she produced the goods when it mattered after scoring in a 2-0 win over France to win the UEFA Nations League final. This was the sixth edition of the award, as Bommati matched Alexia Putellas' tally of two Ballon d'Or Feminin crowns.

“This cannot be achieved alone, I am very lucky to be surrounded by players who make me better every day,” Bonmati said after receiving the award.“Thanks to the staff, to the club workers, without you, we would not achieve so much success.” Her achievements have sparked discussions about the future of women's football, inspiring a new generation to pursue their dreams in sports. As she continues to break barriers, Bonmatí remains a symbol of excellence and determination. As we look forward to the next season, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how Bonmatí builds on this success and continues to elevate the game.