BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2025 contender Aitana Bonmati

Tino Herrero, President of the Bunmaty First Team Football Club, Deportio Ribes: “I think Aitana has no ceiling at the moment. She is a very competitive girl, and the truth is that she is very young with everything she has achieved. I think she will set the ceiling if she continues like this, very competitive, and taking care of herself.

“There are times when you see her running at 11pm at night, so not many people can see her. She is running here in the village. If she continues like this, I think there are no limits to it. I think she can become like Lionel Messi with eight Ballon d’Ors. She will be able to reach his level.”

Bonmati talks about what it means to play for Barcelona Mundo Deportivo, external: “It is a source of pride and responsibility at the same time. We are judged not only by our results, but also by the way we play. Most teams would be satisfied with just winning, but we are expected – and we expect ourselves – to win and play well. This is a big responsibility.”

Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola: “Etana Bonmati is a footballer that I absolutely loved because of the way she plays. I would say it’s like women’s football. [Andres] “Iniesta.”

The owner of a bar dedicated to Bonmati in her hometown of Sant Pere de Ribes, talks about what makes it special: “Mostly for being as humble as she is. Her style of play. She knows how to work as a group and as a team. Some of these elite players are often more individualistic and always want to be them, them and them. No, she shares the accolades and has proven it at all the parties she has gone to, acknowledging that her team is the engine of herself. That is because of her way of being, her playing, her strength and that quick reaction mentality.”