Aitana Bonmatí Makes History with Third Consecutive Ballon d’Or

By Maria Gonzalez, Sports Correspondent – The Washington Post

Aitana Bonmatí has cemented her legacy as one of football’s all-time greats, clinching her third consecutive Ballon d’Or in Paris last night. The Barcelona midfielder joins an elite trio—Michel Platini and Lionel Messi—as the only players to achieve this feat, rewriting the record books despite Barcelona’s Champions League exit and Spain’s EURO 2025 disappointment. Her unrivaled brilliance this season made the outcome indisputable.

Bonmatí’s 2024-25 campaign was a masterclass in midfield dominance. She scored 16 goals and provided 22 assists in La Liga F, orchestrating Barcelona’s domestic treble with a blend of vision, tenacity, and flair. Her pinpoint passing and knack for unlocking defenses earned her the UEFA Player of the Year award, while her leadership captained Spain to a Nations League title. Even in the face of team setbacks—Barcelona’s quarterfinal loss to Lyon and Spain’s EURO semifinal defeat—Bonmatí’s individual brilliance shone through, with 92% pass completion and a league-leading 12 player-of-the-match awards.

The 27-year-old’s peers and coaches were unanimous in their praise. “Aitana is the heartbeat of every team she plays for,” said Barcelona coach Pere Romeu. Her closest competitors, teammate Caroline Graham Hansen and Manchester City’s Vivianne Miedema, trailed far behind in France Football’s voting, with Bonmatí securing 85% of first-place ballots. Messi, who last won in 2023, sent a heartfelt message: “Aitana’s consistency is unmatched. She’s the present and future.”

Bonmatí’s triumph transcends trophies, embodying resilience and evolution. From her 2018 breakout to this historic three-peat, she’s redefined the women’s game. As she lifted the golden ball, she dedicated it to “every young girl dreaming big.” The football world agrees: Bonmatí’s reign is far from over.