Aitana Bonmati Wins Second Consecutive Women’s Ballon d’Or

SPORT NEWS: Spain’s Aitana Bonmati Clinches Second Consecutive Women’s Ballon d’Or, Barcelona Named Club of the Year

Aitana Bonmati, the gifted midfielder from Spain and Barcelona, has once again been honored with the Women’s Ballon d’Or, making it her second consecutive win. This recognition comes after a stellar season where Bonmati played a pivotal role in securing a historic quadruple for Barcelona. The club won all four major trophies — Liga F, the Champions League, Supercopa, and Copa de la Reina. Bonmati contributed significantly, achieving a career-high of 19 goals across these competitions.

Not only did Bonmati shine at the club level, but she also led Spain to victory in the first-ever Women’s Nations League, where she scored four goals, including a critical one in the final match against France. Speaking at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, Bonmati expressed gratitude for the team support she receives, acknowledging that such achievements are possible because of her talented teammates.

England’s Lauren James finished 13th in the Ballon d’Or voting, with fellow Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp also earning placements. Additionally, Chelsea manager Emma Hayes received the inaugural Women’s Coach of the Year award for her achievements with Chelsea and later guiding the United States to Olympic gold at Paris 2024. Bonmati’s latest award places her alongside Barcelona teammate Alexia Putellas as the only players to win the Women’s Ballon d’Or twice since its introduction in 2018. Reflecting on her journey, Bonmati shared her pride in representing Barcelona, a club she joined at age 14, and expressed hope for continued success.

Barcelona also received recognition as the Women’s Club of the Year, honoring their remarkable performances across multiple tournaments. Club president Joan Laporta accepted the award, praising the dedication of both players and staff in building a leading women’s football team.

Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso was awarded the Socrates Award for her humanitarian contributions, particularly her advocacy for women’s football and against sexual harassment. — ***Jennifer Hermoso awarded Socrates Award***

In another highlight, Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso was awarded the Socrates Award for her humanitarian contributions, particularly her advocacy for women’s football and against sexual harassment. Hermoso’s activism gained global attention following an incident after Spain’s 2023 World Cup win, where she alleged non-consensual actions by former Spanish FA chief Luis Rubiales. Speaking on her award, Hermoso emphasized her commitment to inspiring young girls to pursue football and creating a positive future for the sport.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony’s top 10 included standout players like Bonmati, Caroline Graham Hansen, Salma Paralluelo, and Sophia Smith, showcasing the global talent advancing women’s football.