"Win or learn. You never lose." That's the motto painted on a mural in Aitana Bonmatí's hometown in Spain. It perfectly captures the mindset of football's brightest female star.
The 27-year-old Spanish midfielder has conquered nearly every challenge in women's football. Now she's eyeing her next target: helping Spain win its first UEFA Women's Euro title in 2025.
Bonmatí's journey began in Sant Pere de Ribes, a small town near Barcelona. As a child, she was the only girl playing football with the boys. There were no female football stars for young Aitana to look up to back then.
"My first memory is playing soccer in the schoolyard," says Bonmatí. "Times have changed a lot. When I was young, I didn't have female role models to aspire to."
Equality has always been important in Bonmatí's life. Her parents even reversed the traditional Spanish naming order to put her mother's surname first – a bold statement for gender equality.
At 14, she joined Barcelona's female academy. It wasn't the fully professional setup we see today. She briefly considered moving to America where women's football was more established but chose to stay with Barça.
That decision paid off brilliantly. In 2015, Barcelona's women's team turned professional, and Bonmatí's career took off.
From Barcelona Star to World Champion
Bonmatí has helped transform Barcelona Femení into the world's most dominant women's club team. Her trophy cabinet is bursting with six league titles, three Champions League trophies, seven national cups, and five Spanish Super Cups.
"It's a privilege to have become a role model for so many girls and boys," she says. "Seeing people wearing my jersey around the world was impossible to imagine just a few years ago."
Barcelona's success has been mirrored by Spain's national team. Bonmatí was instrumental in Spain's historic first World Cup triumph in 2023, earning the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
Her playing style has drawn comparisons to her idol Andrés Iniesta. She controls games from midfield with exceptional vision and technique, constantly directing teammates with distinctive arm movements.
"My dad says I look like a policewoman directing traffic," she laughs. "I constantly scan the game, evaluate all possibilities, and try to find the best solution."
Spain's World Cup victory was even more remarkable considering the team's internal struggles. Months before the tournament, Bonmatí was among 15 players who declared themselves unavailable for selection, citing concerns about coach Jorge Vilda.
Against the odds, the team came together when it mattered most. "It was a surprise for us and everyone," admits Bonmatí. "We managed to succeed because everyone showed the best version of themselves."
Looking Ahead to Euro 2025
Two consecutive Ballon d'Or awards confirm Bonmatí's status as the world's best player. But her impact extends beyond the pitch – she's become one of women's sports' most influential figures.
Bonmatí consistently uses her platform to advocate for equality. Even during her Ballon d'Or acceptance speech, she highlighted the ongoing fight for better conditions in women's football.
Now, her focus turns to the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship. It's one of the few trophies missing from her collection.
"It's one of the few competitions I have yet to win, so trying to lift that trophy is one of my goals," says Bonmatí.
For betting enthusiasts, Spain looks set to enter the tournament as one of the favorites. With Bonmatí orchestrating the midfield and Barcelona teammates providing familiarity throughout the squad, Spain's odds should be attractive.
The combination of Bonmatí's leadership and Spain's recent World Cup triumph makes them a compelling pick to challenge traditional European powerhouses like Germany, England, and France.
From that small-town mural to the biggest stages in world football, Aitana Bonmatí continues to inspire a new generation. Win or learn – but mostly win, it seems, for Spain's football sensation.
