Barça star Aitana Bonmatí wins FIFA best player of the year

FC Barcelona star Aitana Bonmatí said she is "proud to be part of a powerful generation of women" after winning the FIFA The Best player of the year award at a ceremony held in London on Monday night. 

The award comes after a stellar 2023 saw the midfielder pick up the Ballon d'Or after lifting the World Cup with the national team and the Champions League and domestic league title with her club. 

The Catalan midfielder was instrumental to her teams' successes, being named UEFA Women’s Player of the Year last season also.

"Two weeks ago when 2023 finished, I felt a nostalgia. It was an exceptional year, unique, that I'll remember for the rest of my life," Bonmatí said upon receiving the award. 

"Starting 2024 with this award makes me proud but I owe it, as I've said before, to the teams that I'm a part of: Barçca, the national team, for the great season we've played." 

"Colleagues, staff, directors, workers of the club, thank you very much, and I extend that to the workers of the national team too," Bonmatí said in Catalan and Spanish. "Without you, I wouldn't be here picking up this award, nor would I be the same player I am today." 

The player then switched to English, congratulating the rest of the nominees, and finishing by saying: "and also to say that I'm proud of being part of a powerful generation of women who are changing the rules of the game and the world. Thank you very much." 

In the Champions League, the 25-year-old netted five goals and assisted eight more as Barça claimed their second European crown. In the World Cup this summer, she won the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament as Spain claimed their first title. In five of Barcelona's 11 Champions League matches last season, Bonmatí was named Player of the Match.  

The metronomic midfielder possibly best encapsulated the trademark style of play that Barcelona and Spain have built so much success on for the past 15 years, while also being capable of slicing through opposition defences with passes placed through the eye of a needle. 

Leo Messi, the former Barcelona men's captain, also picked up the men's version of the same award.