Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the Women’s Ballon d’Or ahead of Sam Kerr and Salma Paralluelo.
It was the first such success for the 25-year-old, beating Sam Kerr of Chelsea and Australia to the honour, while teenager Salma Paralluelo – a national and club teammate of Bonmati’s – made third place.
Bonmati said: “I’m very proud to receive the Ballon d’Or tonight. Even though it’s an individual prize, football is a collective, team sport, so I’d like to share the prize with my colleagues, staff, workers at Barça and the national team because what’s clear is that without the titles achieved this year. I wouldn’t be here,”
“I’m a little bit nervous, I haven’t slept a few days. To be here in the world’s biggest football gala is a dream for me and even though I’m a discreet person, as I said being here is special.”
“As role models we have a responsibility on and off the pitch. We should be more than athletes and keep leading by example and fighting together for a better, peaceful and equal world.”
Women’s Ballon d’Or Top 10
- Aitana Bonmati (Spain / Barcelona)
- Sam Kerr (Australia / Chelsea)
- Salma Paralluelo (Spain / Barcelona)
- Fridolina Rolfo (Sweden / Barcelona)
- Mary Earps (England / Manchester United)
- Olga Carmona (Spain / Real Madrid)
- Alexandra Popp (Germany / Wolfsburg)
- Patricia Guijarro (Spain / Barcelona)
- Linda Caicedo (Colombia / Real Madrid)
- Rachel Daly (England / Aston Villa)
