Spanish World Champion Aitana Bonmati claimed the women’s Player of the Year title at the Best FIFA Football Awards in London on Monday night.
The FC Barcelona midfielder triumphed over her compatriot Jennifer Hermoso (Pachuca) and Colombian player Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid). Bonmati, aged 25, lived up to her favourites tag among female players.
She had previously received the Golden Ball and the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year award. Adding to her accolades, she was named Best Player in both the World Cup and the Champions League, which she won with Barça.
Bonmati beat her former teammate Hermoso, who now plays in Mexico, but also shone in the World Cup and found herself at the centre of a controversy following a much-discussed kiss by former national president Luis Rubiales. The 18-year-old Caicedo completed the podium.
Bonmati succeeds her compatriot Alexia Putellas, the winner in 2021 and 2022.
For the women’s category, performances from 1 August 2022 to 20 August 2023, were taken into account, including the World Cup in Australia.
The jury was made up of team captains, national coaches, journalists, and fans.
