Ballon d'Or Feminin winner Aitana Bonmati delivers powerful speech - 'Keep fighting together'

Aitana Bonmati delivered a passionate message to her fellow Ballon d'Or nominees after the Barcelona and Spain star scooped the Ballon d’Or Feminin award.

Bonmati told her fellow nominees that they were “role models” with “a responsibility on and off the pitch.”

The 25-year-old Spaniard enjoyed a stellar season as she lifted the World Cup, La Liga Feminin and the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

She scored 19 goals for her club last season and was at the heart of her country’s international success, beating England in the final of the tournament, in Australia.

On Monday night in Paris, after being awarded the prize, she said: "I'm very proud to receive this Ballon d’Or tonight. It’s been a quite unique level, football-wise.

"It’s an individual award but football is a team sport so I’d like to extend this prize to my team-mates, the staff, everyone involved at Barcelona, all my international team-mates as well.

"I wouldn’t be here without them, I wouldn't have the same success."

She added: "Thank you Joan Laporta, for his belief. Barcelona are one of the standout clubs. I’d like to thank my family who are part of my success, my parents."

Bonmati then called upon the other nominees to recognise their place in society, and the effect they can have.

She continued: "Finally congratulations to all the nominees. All of them are great and inspiring footballers. As role models, we have a responsibility on and off the pitch. We should be more than athletes. Keep leading by example and keep fighting for a better, peaceful and more equal world."

She made the comment after Vinicius Jr. was earlier recognised for the social activism and charity work he had done, after suffering instances of racist abuse in Spain.

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