In a night that will be remembered for years to come, Barcelona’s midfield dynamo Aitana Bonmatí lifted the Ballon d'Or trophy for the third year running. The ceremony, staged at Paris’s historic Théâtre du Châtelet, turned into a celebration of consistency, skill and a growing respect for women’s football. By adding a third consecutive win to her résumé, Bonmatí doesn’t just top the female leaderboard – she steps onto the same pedestal occupied by men who defined an era.
Joining an Elite Circle of Three‑Time Winners
Only a handful of football greats have ever collected three Ballon d'Or titles. Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten and Lionel Messi are the names that usually surface when the conversation turns to multiple‑award winners. Until now, women’s football had no representation in that exclusive club. Bonmatí’s achievement reshapes the narrative, proving that the same level of sustained excellence can thrive on the women’s side of the sport.
While she now matches the three‑award tally of Cruyff, Platini and van Basten, the record holders on the men’s side – Cristiano Ronaldo with five and Messi with eight – still sit ahead. Nonetheless, the fact that only Platini and Messi had ever managed three back‑to‑back wins before Bonmatí underscores how rare consecutive dominance truly is.
Season of Contrasting Outcomes: Personal Glory vs Team Setbacks
Bonmatí’s individual season reads like a highlight reel. She dictated play for Barcelona, logging 3,278 minutes – the second‑most among outfield players – and featured in 44 matches, tying for the second‑highest appearance count. Her 34 starts placed her just behind Ewa Pajor, who led the charts with 37.
Beyond raw minutes, her influence was felt in the biggest moments. In the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Bonmatí’s composure in midfield helped Barcelona navigate a grueling campaign that culminated in a hard‑fought final. Although the club fell short of the trophy, her performances earned her the tournament’s MVP award, a rare double‑honour when a player’s side doesn’t win the title.
The international stage offered a similar story. Spain’s run to the Euro final in Switzerland saw Bonmatí orchestrating attacks, breaking lines with incisive passes and controlling tempo. The final loss did little to dim her impact, and the tournament committee named her its MVP as well. Winning both the club and national MVP accolades in a single season is virtually unheard of, cementing her status as the era’s most influential midfielder.
Analysts and former players have drawn parallels between Bonmatí and Barcelona legend Andrés Iniesta. Both share a quiet confidence, a knack for finding space where none seems to exist, and an unparalleled ability to keep the ball moving forward. While the comparison might seem bold, it highlights her vision, ball control and the way she can change a match’s rhythm in an instant.
Her rise comes at a pivotal moment for women’s football. Global audiences are tuning in more than ever, sponsorship deals are growing, and the sport’s governing bodies are investing heavily in development. Bonmatí’s triumph adds a marquee name to the conversation, showcasing the depth of talent and the competitive intensity present in the women’s game.
Looking ahead, the question is not if Bonmatí will add more Ballon d’Ors, but how many more accolades she can collect before the next generation steps up. With Barcelona still a powerhouse and Spain’s national team rebuilding after a near‑miss, her platform is set for further historic moments.
For now, the football world pauses to celebrate a player who has turned consistency into an art form. Aitana Bonmatí’s third consecutive Ballon d’Or not only rewrites the record books – it sends a powerful signal that women’s football belongs at the very top of the sport’s most prestigious conversations.