Aitana Bonmati has been named women’s footballer of the year at The Best FIFA Awards for 2023.
Bonmati, 25, was one of a three-player shortlist for the award having been nominated alongside her international team-mate Jennifer Hermoso and Real Madrid forward Linda Caicedo.
Bonmati had an outstanding year for club and country, winning the 2022-23 Liga F andChampions LeaguewithBarcelonaand the 2023 World Cup withSpain.
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She had been favourite to land this award and it follows her success in being crowned Ballon d’Or winner in October.
Bonmati also won the Golden Ball award at the World Cup earlier this year, as well as the UEFA Women’s player of the year and Champions League player of the season awards for last season.
Upon winning the award, Bonmati said: “When 2023 came to an end, I was nostalgic, because it’s an exceptional year I will remember all my life. I owe this award to the teams I played in, Barcelona and the national team.
“I must thank all the people who have helped me – without you I would not be the player I am. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I would like to congratulate all the nominees.
“Finally, I would like to say I am proud of being part of a powerful generation of women who have changed the rules of the game.”
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During the 2022-23 campaign, the midfielder scored 19 goals in 37 matches across all competitions for Barcelona as they won their fourth Liga F title in a row and secured a second Champions League triumph. She also netted three times at the World Cup.
Her fine form has continued into this season with nine goals in 17 appearances for the Catalan club.
Bonmati’s club and international teammate Alexia Putellas had won each of the previous two The Best FIFA women’s player awards.
Previous winners of women’s footballer of the year
- 2016 — Carli Lloyd
- 2017 — Lieke Martens
- 2018 — Marta
- 2019 — Megan Rapinoe
- 2020 — Lucy Bronze
- 2021 — Alexia Putellas
- 2022 — Alexia Putellas
Elsewhere, Lionel Messi of Inter Miami picked up the men’s award.
Awards in full:
The Best FIFA Men’s Player award 2023: Lionel Messi
The Best FIFA Women’s Player award 2023: Aitana Bonmati
The Best FIFA Men’s Coach 2023: Pep Guardiola
The Best FIFA Women’s Coach 2023: Sarina Wiegman
The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper 2023: Mary Earps
The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper 2023: Ederson
FIFA Fair Play Award: Brazil senior men’s team
FIFA Puskas Award: Guilherme Madruga
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FIFA Fan Award: Club Atletico Colon fan
FIFA Special Award: Marta
FIFA Women’s World XI: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Olga Carmona (Real Madrid), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Lauren James (Chelsea), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave), Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Alessia Russo (Arsenal).
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Aitana Bonmati exclusive interview: 'There's no hiding. It's what comes naturally to me'
(Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
