Paris 2024 Olympics: The three pillars of Aitana Bonmati’s roaring success
2023 was a year unlike any other for Aitana Bonmati.
For both club and country, she had a 12-month campaign that transcended football.
League winner, UEFA Champions League winner, World Cup winner, and eventual Ballon d’Or winner – those are just a handful of highlights, in a year she won almost all of what was on offer individually.
At the peak of her powers, the world’s best is now eyeing a golden addition to her growing collection of accolades at Paris 2024, where Spain make their Games debut.
In her first Olympic outing, as Spain defeated Japan 2-1 to kickstart their campaign, Bonmati continued her fine form with a goal and an assist.
Yet another starring role in a big game proves just why she has developed a reputation for being the best player in women’s football right now.
But what exactly is the secret to Bonmati’s emphatic rise to being the best in the world?
Aitana Bonmati v Japan, on her Olympic debut.
The three pillars of Aitana Bonmati’s success
How do you become the best player in the world? Bonmati believes there are three key pillars to etching your name in the history books.
“What has always characterised me has been my mentality,” she told the Guardian earlier this year.
“My mentality is something that I never lost and I think it’s been the key to what has made me the footballer I am.
“Talent is one thing, and you can work hard as well but without this mentality of sacrifice, resilience, and fight to want to be better every day… I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”
Perhaps more importantly, though, is her hunger to win never fades.
Despite becoming a Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion in 2023, among other things, Bonmati already has her eye on winning even more.
“At 26, I have a decent list of accomplishments, but I’m still hungry for more,” she added.
“The day I don’t have that hunger and ambition is the day I’ll retire from professional football.
“Today I still have that spark inside that makes me compete and train every day at the highest level – also, I still don’t have a Euros or an Olympic medal – there are still things to accomplish.”
Aitana Bonmati: 2023 Ballon d'Or winner.
Aitana Bonmati: An advocate for mental health
Bonmati is an inspirational figure for many, both on and off the pitch.
When she isn’t busy emulating the legendary Lionel Messi with her style of play, the 26-year-old is a strong advocate for mental health.
“[Mental health] is the basis of everything,” she told FIFPRO.
“In the end, if your head doesn’t work, your feet don’t work, and your life doesn’t work either – not just in football, but life in general.
“I think it’s important to know yourself and know where you can improve.”
As a result, she is encouraging fellow athletes to see and speak to a sports psychologist.
“I have always spoken openly about this subject,” Bonmati added.
“Everyone should be able to go to a psychologist and treat it as a normal situation.
“It’s normal that, with the society we have, we always find things we can improve.”
Aitana Bonmati’s awards and honours
Here is the list of accolades Bonmati is hoping to add an Olympic gold to…
Spain
- FIFA Women’s World Cup winner (2023)
- UEFA Women’s Nations League winner (23/24)
FC Barcelona
- Primera Division winner (19/20; 20/21; 21/22; 22/23; 23/24)
- UEFA Women’s Champions League winner (20/21; 22/23; 23/24)
- Copa de la Reina (2017; 2018; 19/20; 21/22; 22/23; 23/24)
- Supercopa de Espana (19/20; 21/22; 22/23; 23/24)
- Copa Catalunya (2016; 2017; 2018; 2019)
Individual honours
- FIFA ‘The Best’: Women’s Player (2023)
- Ballon d’Or (2023)
- Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year (2024)
- FIFA Women’s World Cup: Golden Ball (2023)
- UEFA Women’s Player of the Year (22/23)
- UEFA Women’s Champions League: Player of the Season (22/23; 23/24)
- IFFHS Women’s Player of the Year (2023)
- IFFHS Women’s Playmaker of the Year (2023)
- Copa de la Reina: Final MVP (19/20)
- UEFA Women’s Champions League: Final MVP (2021; 2024)
- Globe Soccer: Women’s Player of the Year (2023)
- UEFA Women’s Nations League: Player of the Finals (2024)