Aitana Bonmati is quietly having a stellar season at Barcelona, starring in the midfield and leading her team to countless victories.
When Alexia Potellas suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury ahead of Euro 2022, the general narrative heading into the domestic season was that Barcelona would struggle without the Ballon d’Or winner.
But even without Botelas in the squad, Barcelona continued to dominate the domestic league. This season they have won every game they have played in Liga F, Cuba de la Reina, and the Supercopa de Espana, which they won for a record third time. In the Champions LeagueThey have won all but one of their group stage matches against Bayern Munich, and are expected to face Roma in the quarter-finals of the competition.
In Potellas’ absence, Bonmati has stepped up in her role, showing her versatility and ability to adapt to different situations on the pitch. A key contributor to Barcelona’s attack, Bonmati has proven time and time again her ability to drive with the ball, her dribbling skills, her accuracy in shooting and her all-around creative ability.
Most recently, Barcelona defeated Levante in the league, with Bonmati scoring a brace to bring her total goals tally for the season up to 16, two fewer than last season’s total. She is the club’s second-highest goalscorer this season – behind striker Asisat Oshoala – and has led in 13 assists so far.
“I am in the club that bets the most on women’s and women’s football. When I started, I never imagined that I would have all the conditions for a professional player,” Bonmati said recently in an interview in honor of International Women’s Day.
“Life goes by so fast that you don’t realize it. There are times when I remember that ten years ago I played for Cubelles or Ribes and I had no expectation for the future. Women’s football was not suitable and you could not devote yourself to it professionally. But the road brought me to Here the truth is, I’m very proud.”
Last season, Barcelona failed in the Champions League, losing to Olympique Lyonnais in the final 3-1. With the level she is at, Bonmati could be key to helping Barcelona overcome that hurdle in winning their second CL trophy this year.
“We didn’t win but it was nice to live it. The goal this year is to reach the Champions League final again and try to win it. The road is difficult, but we will fight to achieve it and to achieve it we need the fans.”
