Aitana Bonmatí facts for kids

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Aitana Bonmatí

Bonmatí with Barcelona in 2024
Personal information
Full name	Aitana Bonmatí i Conca
Birth name	Aitana Bonmatí Guidonet
Date of birth	(1998-01-18) 18 January 1998 (age 27)
Place of birth	Vilanova i la Geltrú, Catalonia, Spain
Height	1.62 m (5 ft 4 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Barcelona
Number	14
Youth career
2005–2009	Ribes
2010–2012	Cubelles
2012–2014	Barcelona
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014–2016	Barcelona B
2016–	Barcelona	204	(72)
International career‡
2013–2015	Spain U17	13	(3)
2015–2017	Spain U19	15	(6)
2016–2018	Spain U20	9	(2)
2017–	Spain	83	(31)
2017–2019	Catalonia	2	(1)
Medal record Women's football Representing  Spain UEFA Women's Championship Runner-up 2025 Switzerland FIFA Women's World Cup Winner 2023 Australia–New Zealand UEFA Women's Nations League Winner 2024 France–Netherlands–Spain FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Runner-up 2018 France UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship Winner 2017 Northern Ireland Runner-up 2016 Slovakia FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Runner-up 2014 Costa Rica UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship Winner 2015 Iceland Runner-up 2014 England
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:09, 24 July 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:15, 23 July 2025 (UTC)

Aitana Bonmatí i Conca (born January 18, 1998) is a talented Spanish footballer. She plays as a midfielder for Liga F club Barcelona and the Spain national team. Aitana has also played for the Catalonia team. By 2023, she had won almost every major award a European player could achieve. Her 2022–23 season was one of the most successful ever for any footballer. Many people consider her one of the best players in women's football history.

Aitana joined Barcelona in 2012 and trained at their famous La Masia academy for six years. She moved up to Barcelona's main team for the 2016–17 season. She became a key player in the 2018–19 season. With Barcelona, she has won many titles. These include five league titles, six Copas de la Reina, five Supercopas, and four Copas Catalunyas. She also won three UEFA Women's Champions League titles. In 2021, she was named MVP of the Champions League final when Barcelona won for the first time. She became the team's central player in the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons. Aitana won both the Ballon d'Or Féminin and The Best FIFA Women's Player Award in 2023 and 2024.

For Spain, Aitana achieved success with the under-17, under-19, and under-20 teams. She won two UEFA Women's Youth Championships. These were in 2015 with the under-17 team and 2017 with the under-19s. She was also a runner-up in two FIFA Youth Women's World Cups. These were in 2014 with the under-17s and 2018 with the under-20s. She joined the senior national team in 2017. Aitana played for Spain in the 2019 World Cup and 2022 Women's Euro. She played a starring role in the 2023 World Cup. Spain won the title, and she received the Golden Ball as the best player. She also helped Spain win the 2024 UEFA Women's Nations League Finals. In 2024, she became the first footballer to win the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year.

Who is Aitana Bonmatí?

Her Early Life

Family and Education

Aitana Bonmatí was born on January 18, 1998. Her birthplace is Vilanova i la Geltrú, in Catalonia, Spain. She grew up in Sant Pere de Ribes. Her parents, Vicent Conca and Rosa Bonmatí, were teachers. They taught her to love reading from a young age.

When Aitana was born, her parents wanted her mother's last name to be first. This was not common in Spain at the time. Her parents worked hard to change the law. In 2000, the law was changed. Aitana was one of the first people in Spain to have her mother's last name first. In 2023, Aitana thanked her parents for their efforts. She said their fight for change inspired her.

Aitana played basketball when she was younger. But at age seven, she found football and loved it more. Her father noticed she was very competitive. Aitana herself said she is "never happy" and "always wants more." She has always been a big fan of FC Barcelona. She watched their men's games at a local bar as a child.

Starting Football Young

Aitana started playing football in local boys' teams. She believed this helped her become stronger and play with more intensity. At 13, she joined Barcelona's girls' youth section. At that time, the girls' academy did not have dorms. Aitana traveled two hours by public transport to practice. Her father often went with her.

Her football heroes were Barcelona midfielders Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. By 2023, she became good friends with Xavi. He said he was proud she carried the "Barça DNA."

Aitana follows a mostly plant-based diet. She also focuses a lot on getting enough rest. Since she was 13, she has seen a psychologist. She believes it helps her "be good with herself." She also enjoys traveling to relax. A trip to Vietnam had a big impact on her. Aitana studied physical activity and sports science. She graduated from Ramon Llull University in 2021. In 2022, she started a master's degree in sport management.

The Catalan president, Pere Aragonès (right), meeting Bonmatí in May 2024

Aitana's first language is Catalan. She also speaks Spanish and English. In 2023, she supported a campaign. This campaign asked the European Union to make Catalan an official language. She also helps the UN Refugee Agency.

Journey Through Barcelona's Ranks

Youth Teams and Early Success

Aitana joined CD Ribes at age seven. She played there for four years. She was the only girl on the team. Her first coach compared her to Carles Puyol. He moved her to midfield to help with attacking plays. She then played for CF Cubelles for two years. She liked their style of play, which focused on ball control.

When she joined Barcelona at 13, she started in their Juvenil-Cadet team. This was the second-highest girls' development team. In 2013, she won the league and Copa Catalunya with Juvenil-Cadet. The next season, they won the league again without losing a game. Sometimes, the long travel and mental effort made her wonder if it was worth it. She didn't initially plan to be a professional footballer. She even thought about playing in the United States. But in 2015, Barcelona's women's team became professional. Aitana decided to stay.

After two years, Aitana moved up to the Barcelona B team. She also played a few times for the first team in pre-season games. In the 2015–16 season, she helped Barcelona B win their league group. She scored fourteen goals. At the end of that season, she joined the first team.

Joining the Senior Team

Aitana made her first team debut in the 2015–16 season. It was during the 2016 Copa de la Reina quarter-finals. She played as a false 9 and set up a goal. She played as a substitute in the semi-final and the final. Barcelona lost the final 2–3 to Atletico Madrid.

In the 2016–17 season, she played in the Copa Catalunya. She scored in both matches. Barcelona won the final 6–0, giving Aitana her first senior title. She also made her UEFA Women's Champions League debut. She played in 13 league games, scoring two goals. She scored Barcelona's fourth goal in the 2017 Copa de la Reina final, which Barcelona won 4–1.

In the 2017–18 season, Aitana continued to play mostly in the league. She scored her first Champions League goal against Gintra Universitetas. She came on as a substitute in the 2018 Copa de la Reina final. Barcelona won, earning her second major title.

Becoming a Global Football Star

Breakthrough Seasons and First Champions League

Bonmatí slide-tackling Amel Majri of Lyon during the 2019 UWCL Final

The 2018–19 season was a big one for Aitana. She became a regular starter for Barcelona. She also played often in the Champions League, scoring once. Barcelona reached their first ever Champions League final. Aitana started the match. Even though they lost 4–1 to Lyon, she had a memorable moment. She outran a fast opponent to stop an attack. She finished the season with twelve league goals.

In 2019, Aitana signed a new contract with Barcelona until 2022. She was named Catalan women's player of the year. In 2020, she played her 100th game for Barcelona. She helped Barcelona win the Supercopa de España 10–1. The 2019–20 league season was stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Barcelona was given the title, which was Aitana's first league title.

In the 2020–21 season, Aitana played in the 2019–20 Copa de la Reina final. This final was delayed due to COVID-19. She scored Barcelona's second goal and was named MVP of the final. In the Champions League semi-finals, she helped Barcelona reach the final. On May 16, 2021, she started her second Champions League final against Chelsea. She scored a goal, helping Barcelona win 4–0. Her performance earned her the Champions League final MVP award. Her goal was voted the 5th best of the tournament. She was also included in the UWCL Squad of the Season.

After this successful season, other teams wanted Aitana. Lyon reportedly offered a very large transfer fee and salary. But Barcelona and Aitana wanted her to stay.

Dominating European Football

In the 2021–22 season, Aitana continued to shine. She scored her first goal of the season in September 2021. She renewed her contract with Barcelona until June 2025. In January 2022, she had a leg injury. She returned in February, scoring a goal in a big win. In March, she scored in a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. This game was played at Camp Nou in front of over 91,000 fans. In April, she scored again at Camp Nou in front of a record 91,648 fans. This was in a Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg. She scored a hat-trick in a league game in May. Barcelona won the league with a perfect record. She played in the Champions League final, which Barcelona lost 1–3 to Lyon. She also helped Barcelona win the Copa de la Reina.

Before the 2022–23 season, teammate Alexia Putellas had a serious knee injury. Aitana took over Alexia's attacking midfield role. Nike described her season as "The best season. Of any footballer. Ever." She won every tournament her teams played in. She was named player of the tournament in all of them. She also won the UEFA Women's Player of the Year Award and the Ballon d'Or Féminin. No other player, male or female, had won so many awards in one season before.

Bonmatí in March 2024

Aitana kept her attacking midfield role in the 2023–24 season. On May 4, 2024, Barcelona won their fifth league title in a row. Aitana played the whole match. On May 18, Barcelona won the Copa de la Reina 8–0. On May 25, Aitana scored the first goal in a 2–0 win over Lyon. This was in the Champions League final. This win secured her and Barcelona's third Champions League title. Barcelona also achieved their second continental treble and first continental quadruple. Aitana was named MVP of the final and the tournament. She had six goals and six assists, making her the top goal contributor.

Playing for Her Country, Spain

Youth International Success

Aitana played for all of Spain's youth national teams. These include the U-17, U-19, and U-20 teams. At 15, she played in the 2014 UEFA Women's U-17 Euro. She scored two goals against Germany. Spain reached the final but lost on penalties. Months later, she played in the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. Spain reached the final but lost to Japan.

Aitana was part of the Spain U-17 team that won the 2015 UEFA Women's U-17 Euro. She scored a goal against Germany. Spain won the final 5–2 against Switzerland. Aitana earned her first international title. She was also named to the Team of the Tournament.

She was part of the Spain U-19 team that won the 2017 UEFA Women's Under-19 Euro. She captained the team in the semi-finals and final. Spain won the final against France. This was her second international title. This win also helped Spain qualify for the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

Aitana was captain again at the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. Spain won their group. In the quarter-finals, she scored two goals against Nigeria. Spain won 2–1. She was sent off in the semi-final against France. Spain won that match, but Aitana missed the final. Spain lost the final 1–3 to Japan. She also played for Catalonia's U-18 and U-16 teams.

World Cup and Nations League Victories

In November 2017, Aitana was called up to Spain's senior national team. She made her debut against Austria. In February 2018, she played in the 2018 Cyprus Cup. Spain won the tournament, giving her her first senior title.

In May 2019, Aitana was part of Spain's 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup squad. Spain reached the knockout rounds for the first time. They lost 1–2 to the United States in the Round of 16. Later that year, Aitana played in Spain's UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifying matches. She scored six goals. She also played in the 2020 SheBelieves Cup in March 2020.

In November 2021, Aitana scored four goals in two 2023 World Cup qualifying matches. In September 2022, Aitana was part of a group of players who wanted to see improvements in how the national team was managed. She described this period as difficult. She returned to the squad for the 2023 World Cup after discussions led to promises for positive changes.

On July 21, 2023, she scored in Spain's opening World Cup match. On August 5, she scored twice and assisted twice in a 5–1 win over Switzerland. On August 20, Spain won the World Cup final 1–0 against England. Aitana was named the tournament's best player, receiving the Golden Ball.

On February 28, 2024, Aitana scored the first goal in a 2–0 win against France. This was in the final of the 2023-24 UEFA Women's Nations League. This win secured her and Spain's second international trophy.

Aitana was selected for the Spanish team for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025. A few days before the tournament, she had viral meningitis. However, she recovered quickly and was able to join the team in Switzerland. She helped Spain reach the final, where they finished as runner-up.

Aitana's Playing Style

The FCF describes Aitana as "pure elegance." They note her ability to play in different positions. She can play centrally, as a midfielder, or as a winger. ESPN said she is "technically gifted like few of her contemporaries."

Jordi Ventura, who signed her to Barcelona's youth team, said she is "intense" and "very competitive." He also noted she is good with both feet. Former FCB Femeni coach Xavi Llorens said Aitana has "innate elegance in driving the ball." He added that she is "very competitive" and "versatile."

Pep Guardiola said, "Aitana Bonmatí is a football player who has me completely in love with her for the way she plays. I would say she is like the women's Iniesta."

Aitana sees her short height as an advantage. Her low center of gravity makes it hard for opponents to take the ball from her.

Amazing Achievements

Bonmatí with her 2024 Laureus World Sports Award

Club Trophies

Barcelona B

• Segunda División: 2015–16 (Group-III)

Barcelona

• Primera División: 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25
• UEFA Women's Champions League: 2020–21, 2022–23, 2023–24
• Copa de la Reina: 2017, 2018, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2023–24, 2024–25
• Supercopa de España: 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25
• Copa Catalunya: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

International Medals

Spain U17

• UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship: 2015; runner-up 2014
• FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup: runner-up 2014

Spain U19

• UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship: 2017; runner-up 2016

Spain U20

• FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup: runner-up 2018

Spain

• FIFA Women's World Cup: 2023
• UEFA Women's Nations League: 2023–24
• UEFA Women's Championship: runner-up 2025

Individual Awards

• The Best FIFA Women's Player: 2023, 2024
• Ballon d'Or Féminin: 2023, 2024
• Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year: 2024
• Golden Player Woman Award: 2023, 2024
• FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Ball: 2023
• UEFA Women's Player of the Year: 2022–23
• UEFA Women's Champions League Player of the Season: 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25
• UEFA Women's Championship Team of the Tournament: 2022
• IFFHS Women's Player of the Year: 2023, 2024
• IFFHS Women's Playmaker of the Year: 2023, 2024
• UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2015
• Copa de la Reina Final MVP: 2019–20
• Supercopa de España Femenina Final MVP: 2022–23
• Catalan Player of the Year: 2019
• UEFA Women's Champions League Final MVP: 2021, 2024
• UEFA Women's Champions League Squad of the Season: 2020–21, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25
• Premi Barça Jugadors (Barça Players Award): 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
• IFFHS Women's World Team: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
• World Soccer Women's World Player of the Year: 2023, 2024
• Globe Soccer Best Women's Player of the Year: 2023
• FIFA FIFPRO Women's World 11: 2023, 2024
• IFFHS Women's UEFA Team: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
• UEFA Women's Nations League Player of the Finals: 2024
• The Best FIFA Women's 11: 2024

In November 2023, Aitana was named to the BBC's 100 Women list.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances and Goals

International Appearances and Goals

Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Bonmatí goal.

List of International Goals

List of international goals scored by Aitana Bonmatí

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	9 April 2019	Swindon, England	England	1–2	1–2	Friendly
2	4 October 2019	A Coruña, Spain	Azerbaijan	3–0	4–0	UEFA Women's Euro 2021 qualifying
3				4–0
4	8 October 2019	Prague, Czech Republic	Czech Republic	3–0	5–1
5	23 October 2020	Seville, Spain	Czech Republic	3–0	4–0
6	27 November 2020	Las Rozas de Madrid, Spain	Moldova	1–0	10–0
7				5–0
8	10 June 2021	Alcorcón, Spain	Belgium	3–0	3–0	Friendly
9	15 June 2021		Denmark	1–0	3–0
10				3–0
11	25 November 2021	Seville, Spain	Faroe Islands	2–0	12–0	2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
12				6–0
13	30 November 2021		Scotland	3–0	8–0
14				5–0
15	25 June 2022	Huelva, Spain	Australia	1–0	7–0	Friendly
16	8 July 2022	Milton Keynes, England	Finland	2–1	4–1	UEFA Women's Euro 2022
17	21 July 2023	Wellington, New Zealand	Costa Rica	2–0	3–0	2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
18	5 August 2023	Auckland, New Zealand	Switzerland	1–0	5–1
19				3–1
20	26 September 2023	Córdoba, Spain	Switzerland	2–0	5–0	2023–24 UEFA Women's Nations League
21				3–0
22	23 February 2024	Seville, Spain	Netherlands	2–0	3–0	2024 UEFA Women's Nations League Finals
23	28 February 2024		France	1–0	2–0
24	12 July 2024	Chomutov, Czech Republic	Czech Republic	1–0	1–2	UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying
25	16 July 2024	A Coruña, Spain	Belgium	1–0	2–0
26	25 July 2024	Nantes, France	Japan	1–1	2–1	2024 Summer Olympics
27	29 November 2024	Cartagena, Spain	South Korea	3–0	5–0	Friendly
28	3 December 2024	Nice, France	France	1–0	4–2
29	8 April 2025	Vigo, Spain	Portugal	2–0	7–1	2025 UEFA Women's Nations League
30				3–0
31	23 July 2025	Zurich, Switzerland	Germany	1–0	1–0 (aet)	UEFA Women's Euro 2025

See also

In Spanish: Aitana Bonmatí para niños