Aitana Bonmatí: A Legend in the Making
Let’s start with the obvious: Aitana Bonmatí has added another trophy to her already overflowing cabinet—no, not just a trophy, but a Golden Ball! Basically, she’s collecting awards like they’re Pokémon. Catching them all? More like “catching the best female football accolades“! With a World Cup and three Champions Leagues under her belt, Aitana is like the football version of a Swiss Army knife—versatile, efficient, and, let’s be honest, just a bit more useful than the average mate sitting on the sofa judging her from afar!
“Without them, I wouldn’t be the player I am today”
Ah, the humility! During her acceptance speech, Aitana didn’t just take credit for her success—*no, no, no*. Instead, she dedicated it all to her teammates, saying, “Without them, I would not be the player I am today.” So refreshing! In a world full of self-proclaimed “talent,” here’s Aitana, giving credit where it’s due. How delightfully quaint! Her modesty could practically qualify her for sainthood. Or at least for ‘Team Player of the Year’, if such an award existed. You know, if we’re not careful, she might just single-handedly revive good sportsmanship!
This path wasn’t paved with gold, though. Starting out as a young girl sharing the field with the boys, she not only had to prove her mettle but also faced the dreadfully outdated chatter of teenage boys unable to deal with the fact that a girl could outrun them. It’s astounding how kicking a ball around can unearth all that latent sexism, right? But Aitana forged ahead, overcoming sexist banter and petty insecurities, and she took that little girl who once struggled to claim her space on the field and transformed her into a world-class footballer. That’s a plot twist worthy of a Rocky movie!
“Today we can say that we are all models, so proud to be one”
Now, speaking of role models, Aitana’s remarks about representation bring up an important point. She says, “When I was little it was impossible to have female role models.” And there’s the crux of it! She now stands proud not just for young girls but also for boys who can now look to her and think, “Hey, maybe women can be amazing in sports too!” What a radical concept in a world where we still debate basic equality!
She unapologetically champions equality, reminding us that boys also need female role models if they’re going to grow up thinking teamwork is more than just a ‘bro-gram’ of shaking hands and slapping each other’s backs! “It’s important for boys to have female role models because when they grow up, they will have a more egalitarian mentality.” Well said! Perhaps we should start sending Aitana in to negotiate peace treaties between rival sports camps. Who knows? Maybe she’ll solve the age-old debate over whether pineapple belongs on pizza while she’s at it!
Engagements
Let’s not forget Aitana is no one-trick pony. She hasn’t just been kicking a ball; she’s been kicking down barriers and throwing her support around like confetti at a wedding! From addressing her federation to advocating for equality, she’s got more going on than a real estate agent in a housing crisis. In fact, her activism got her the Laureus prize for best female athlete of 2024—an impressive feat that nobody saw coming, especially considering she’s the first Spanish-speaking athlete to receive this honor! Someone hand her a cape and call her Superwoman!
She’s also been active with the United Nations Refugee Agency, slapping on t-shirts that scream “Change your mind. Welcome refugees. Save their lives.” Talk about a player with a heart! Aitana isn’t just a formidable force on the pitch; she’s a softie for social justice off it. She has shown more integrity than some corporate leaders I know, who wouldn’t know the concept of ‘balance’ if it swung them in the face!
And let’s have a moment for her unwavering support for teammate Jenni Hermoso, fighting against harassment and the abuse of power in sports. Remember that forced kiss from former Spanish Federation president Luis Rubiales? Yeah, Aitana turned that indignation into a roar for change! Now, with two Ballons d’Or backing her voice, she doesn’t just speak; she deconstructs every whisper of inequality with the finesse of a seasoned comedian dismantling a heckler! Bam!
So, in case you missed it, Aitana Bonmatí is not just a footballer; she’s a legend in the making. Balancing her accolades and activism, she embodies what it means to be a trailblazer—not just for women in football, but for society as a whole. Here’s to Aitana, our Golden Girl, continuing to shine and inspire others to step into the light! Who knew football could be this inspirational? Take notes, gentlemen!
The Spaniard Aitana Bonmatí keeps her Golden Ball and becomes a little more legendary in football, enough to give weight to her commitments. With a World Cup and three Champions Leagues, the track record of the young woman from Vilanova i la Geltrú, between Barcelona and Tarragona, is difficult to equal, as evidenced by the numerous individual recognitions she has received over the last two years. .
“Without them, I wouldn’t be the player I am today”
If she failed with “Roja” at the foot of the Olympic podium this summer in Paris, Aitana Bonmatí retained the Champions League with FC Barcelona, the club where she spent half her life, from 13 to 26 years old. “I am extremely grateful to receive this second consecutive Golden Ball,” declared the Barça player during the ceremony, paying tribute at length to her teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo, second and third. “I play a team sport and I am surrounded by incredible players at club and national level. Without them, I would not be the player I am today,” added Aitana Bonmatí.
Her path to the top began, like many other female footballers, with playing time shared with boys, given the lack of development in women’s grassroots football. Her self-confidence against the best teams in the world was forged when, as a child, she dared to flirt with boys, provoking sexist comments from her young teammates who could not bear to see themselves overtaken by a girl. .
After joining FC Barcelona at the age of 13, it only took him three seasons to debut with the first team. A decade later, she won a second Ballon d’Or after two years at the top.
“Today we can say that we are all models, so proud to be one”
Hailed by a famous phrase from Pep Guardiola, who described her as “the female version of Iniesta”, Aitana Bonmatí always dreamed of establishing herself as “a reference” for many boys and girls at the same level as her male colleagues. . “When I was little it was impossible to have female role models, that’s why I always say that my role models were Xavi, Iniesta, etc… But today we can say that we are all role models, so proud to be one, not only for girls, but also for boys,” she said.
“I think it is very important for boys to have female role models when they are young, because when they grow up, they will have a more egalitarian mentality,” assured the double Ballon d’Or. Equality between men and women in and outside football is one of the causes to which “Aita” is committed. “There is a long way to go and I hope that with our fight we can also contribute to it in the future,” she told the footballers’ union FIFPro in February 2024.
Engagements
An assertive character, Aitana Bonmatí also faced her Federation. She was one of the fifteen rebels who opposed the retention of Jorge Vilda at the head of “Roja”. However, they will end up as 2023 world champions with the same technician. Her commitment has taken many other forms, and her aura goes beyond football, like the Laureus prize for best female athlete 2024, the first Spanish-speaking and first footballer of all sexes to receive this recognition.
Collaborator of the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) since 2022, for example, after the victorious final of the 2023 Champions League, she wore a t-shirt with the slogan “Change your mind. Welcome refugees. Save their lives.” She also supported her teammate Jenni Hermoso, who was forcefully kissed by the former president of the Spanish Federation Luis Rubiales: a forced kiss shortly after the victory in the final of the 2023 Women’s World Cup which had eclipsed the feat of La Roja.
Receiving one of her many awards for best footballer, she took advantage of the exposure to denounce the situation and continue to promote equality. “As a society, we must not allow the abuse of power in a working relationship or lack of respect,” she said. With this second Ballon d’Or, his voice carries even further.
**Interview with Aitana Bonmatí: A Legend in the Making**
**Interviewer:** Aitana, congratulations on winning your second consecutive Golden Ball! Your trophy cabinet must be bursting at the seams. How does it feel to be recognized among the best in the world of women’s football?
**Aitana Bonmatí:** Thank you! It feels incredible, but I want to emphasize that this award is not just mine; it belongs to my teammates as well. Without them, I wouldn’t be the player I am today. We have built something special together at Barcelona and with the national team.
**Interviewer:** You’ve faced your fair share of challenges growing up as a female footballer, from playing with boys to combating sexism on the field. Can you share a bit about that journey?
**Aitana Bonmatí:** Absolutely. It wasn’t always easy. I had to prove myself on the pitch while dealing with outdated attitudes. But those experiences made me stronger. I’m proud that I can inspire young girls and show them that with hard work, they can achieve their dreams.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned representation as an important issue. Many young athletes today look up to you as a role model. What message do you have for them?
**Aitana Bonmatí:** I hope they see that anything is possible. When I was younger, there were hardly any female role models for me to look up to, which is why I feel so strongly about being one now. It’s crucial for both girls and boys to have diverse role models because it fosters understanding and equality from a young age.
**Interviewer:** You’re also actively involved in social issues, advocating for equality and supporting your teammate Jenni Hermoso in her fight against harassment in sports. What drives you to take a stand beyond the pitch?
**Aitana Bonmatí:** For me, it’s about using my platform for good. Sport has the power to bring people together and create change, and I want to be a part of that. When I see injustice, I can’t just stand by. Together with my teammates and other athletes, we can make a real impact.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what’s next for you? Any goals or ambitions you’re working towards?
**Aitana Bonmatí:** I aim to keep improving as a player and continue winning titles with my team. I also want to maintain my advocacy work and inspire change. Football is my passion, but promoting equality and making the world a better place off the field is equally important to me.
**Interviewer:** Aitana, it’s inspiring to see your passion for the game and your commitment to social issues. Thank you for your time, and congratulations once again on your achievements!
**Aitana Bonmatí:** Thank you so much! I appreciate the support!
