Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati has been named the Women’s Player of the Year at The Best FIFA Awards in Doha, Qatar, on Monday, Afrosport reports.
Bonmatí claimed the honours for the second consecutive year, adding to her triumph at this year’s Ballon d’Or, which she also won in 2023.
The 26-year-old played an integral role in helping Barcelona win the Women’s Champions League and led Spain to victory at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, winning the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player.
“I am grateful and proud to win this award,” Bonmati stated. “I’m very grateful for this award, but I always say that this is a team effort, with a Barca that won everything and the national team.”
✨ 𝗧𝗛𝗘. 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧. ✨ pic.twitter.com/pvVOnnbiKV
— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) December 17, 2024
Bonmati, who registered a career-best 19 goals in all competitions last season, edged the duo of Zambia’s Barbra Banda and club teammate Caroline Graham Hansen to win the award.
The Spain international won every possible trophy with Barcelona last campaign as the Catalan club clinched a historic quadruple, having won Liga F, the Champions League, the Supercopa, and the Copa de la Reina.
United States Women’s national team manager, Emma Hayes, scooped the Women’s Coach of the Year honours for the second time, having also won it in 2021.
Hayes led the USWNT to victory at the Paris Olympics, winning the gold medal in the football tournament.
She fended off competition from Manchester City head coach Gareth Taylor and Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor to win the prize, as she displaces England boss Sarina Weigman, who won the award in the past two editions.
Brazilian football icon Marta won the award for the best goal in the women’s game, a version of the Puskas Award, which is named after her.
The inaugural Marta Award was won by the 38-year-old Marta for her goal against Jamaica in June.
It had to be her…
Marta wins the first-ever Marta Award! 🇧🇷💫
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) December 17, 2024
However, USWNT and Chicago Red Stars shot-stopper Alyssa Naeher claimed The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award
The Best FIFA Women’s XI, however, is dominated by Barcelona, with the Spanish club boasting six players, while the United States has three and England got one.
#TheBest FIFA Women’s 11 in 2024. ✨
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) December 17, 2024
Best XI: Alyssa Naeher (Chicago & USA); Lucy Bronze (Chelsea & England), Irene Paredes (Barcelona & Spain), Naomi Girma (San Diego & USA), Ona Batlle (Barcelona & Spain); Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona & Spain), Lindsey Horan (Lyon & USA), Gabi Portilho (Corinthians & Brazil), Patri Guijarro (Barcelona & Spain); Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona & Norway), Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona & Spain)
