Ballon d’Or 2023: World Cup winner Aitana Bonmati wins fifth edition of Ballon d’Or Feminin award at ceremony in Paris

Aitana Bonmati has won her first Ballon d’Or Feminin award following World Cup success with Spain.

The midfielder, who plays for Barcelona, beat England players Mary Earps, Georgia Stanway, Rachel Daly and Millie Bright to the fifth edition of the accolade.

Bonmati featured in the World Cup final where Spain overcame Sarina Wiegman’s England side 1-0, and following the victory was awarded the Golden Ball for the best player at the tournament.

She played in all seven games at the World Cup, scored three goals and provided two assists which included a brace against Switzerland in a 5-1 win.

The 25-year-old was also named UEFA Women's Player of the Year after netting five goals in 11 Champions League matches last season.

Domestically, Bonmati contributed nine goals and 10 assists for Barcelona in the Primera Division during 2022/23.

Bonmati’s team-mate at club and international level, Alexia Putellas, won the Ballon d’Or Feminin in 2021 and 2022, but an ACL injury prevented her from a shot at a third successive award.

Ada Hegerberg won the first award in 2018 and Megan Rapinoe took the trophy the following year, with England’s Lucy Bronze in second place.

Beth Mead came second to Putellas in the fourth edition of the award last year, but an ACL injury also ruled her out of contention this time around.

Accepting her award, 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 thanks to them.

"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."

Switching to English, Bonmati then acknowledged her fellow nominees and praised them, before noting that they had a responsibility between them.

She continued: "Finally congratulations to all the nominees. All of them are great and inspiring role models, we have a responsibility on and off the pitch. Keep fighting for a better and more equal world."

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