Barça star Aitana Bonmatí wins UEFA Women's Player of the Year award
Dynamic midfielder named Champions League Player of the Season in triumphant campaign for Barcelona
League title, Champions League, Player of the Season in Europe's premiere competition, World Cup winner, Golden Ball, and now UEFA Women's Player of the Year. It's been an incredible few months of success for Aitana Bonmatí.
In her acceptance speech, Bonmatí dedicated the award to Spain teammate Jenni Hermoso.
Hermoso was forcibly kissed on the lips by now-provisionally suspended Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales after the World Cup Final on August 20, a situation which has opened a national conversation in Spain over consent, and for which Jenni Hermoso said she felt victim of an assault.
Prosecutors have opened legal proceedings against Luis Rubiales for alleged sexual assault.
"As a society we cannot allow abuses of power. I dedicate this award to Jenni Hermoso and all women who suffer the same. We're with you," Bonmatí said in Monaco.
The Barça midfielder has enjoyed yet another stellar season at the heart of two incredible teams that have conquered everything before them.
Bonmatí overcame Spain teammate Olga Carmona and Chelsea and Australia forward Sam Kerr to win the award.
In the Champions League, Bonmatí 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.
Bonmatí is the metronomic midfielder that possibly best encapsulated the trademark style of play that Barcelona and Spain have built so much success on for the past 15 years or so, while also being capable of slicing through opposition defences with passes placed through the eye of a needle, timed to perfection.
During the summer's World Cup success, Bonmatí, the heartbeat of her team, made more passes than anybody else. She netted three goals and provided two assists during Spain's victorious campaign.
The award is just recognition for a player who has been at the forefront of the strides the women's game has taken over the past few years, playing with a level of skill and technique that wins titles on the pitch and plaudits off it.
Could the Ballon d'Or be next?