It has no competition. At least this year. And in speeches he also has a 10. He showed it in Monaco. After years and years of hard work, Aitana Bonmatí, that girl from Ribes who started playing soccer at the age of seven in the men's teams of Club Deportiu Ribes and CF Cubelles, the same one who spent hours and hours on the bus to go to training With Barça when it was not yet a professional section, it began to collect what had been sown in the form of individual prizes. The best player in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand that Spain conquered and the MVP of the last edition of the Champions League that she won with Barcelona for the second time, she has signed a dream year. There was no question. And UEFA crowned her the best player of the 22-23 season, picking up the baton from Alexia Putellas, winner in the 2021 and 2022 editions. It will be the first relay of three. The prelude to the Ballon d'Or that Aitana will probably receive on October 30 and FIFA The Best 2023 that will be delivered at the beginning of 2024.
He picked up the prize. She said thank you. Then she took a breath. And she took advantage of the great speaker that she had with a clear and forceful speech to condemn what happened with Rubiales. She did not consent to her kiss to Jenni Hermoso that marred the celebration of the Women's World Cup in Spain. “It is not a good moment for Spanish football. We have won a World Cup and things have happened that I would not like to let go of. I believe that as a society we cannot allow ourselves to be abused of power in an employment relationship or to be disrespectful. I want to defend women. To Jenni. To all. We are with you. You have to work so that this society improves ”, she declared.
Aitana was not alone in her claim. And he thanked Sarina Wiegman, the English coach, runner-up in the world, who won the award for best coach of the year and who dedicated the guard to the Spanish women's soccer team. “What happened in the Spanish team has hurt me a lot, it shows that there is still a long way to go in women's football. I dedicate this award to the Spanish team that has had a great tournament. This team should be heard and celebrated. I ask for a round of applause for them”, said the coach who has led the team in 39 games with 30 victories. “What we have done is very special and the Federation supports us a lot. Things work. It was a luxury to see England go so far in the World Cup. There is a lot of work in each training session and in the relationship with the players”, stated Wiegman.
"Thank you Sarina for your words," Aitana told her. Beyond the achievement of the World Cup, 2023 could not have been better for the total midfielder also in terms of blaugrana. In January, the FC Barcelona midfielder was the author of the first two goals and the MVP of the Spanish Super Cup final that Barça won in Murcia on January 22 (3-0 against Real Sociedad). On April 30, she was proclaimed league champion with the team of her life (3-0 against Sporting de Huelva) at the Johan Cruyff after Barça had won 26 games of the league tournament. Aitana finished as the team's second highest scorer with 19 goals, surpassed only by Asisat Oshoala (27). She wanted to dedicate the award to all the teammates she plays with. “They are spectacular people who make me improve every day. Also thanks to Barcelona and the coaching staff that gives me the opportunity to play with the best, ”she pointed out.
The final touch with Barcelona was provided by the Champions League. Aitana was chosen as the best player in the final and was also included in the ideal team of the competition, made up of five other FC Barcelona players: Lucy Bronze, Mapi León and Irene Paredes in defense, Patri Guijarro in the wide zone and Caroline Graham Hansen. in attack. Aitana has a contract with Barcelona until 2025. Olga Carmona, author of the goal that gave Spain the World Cup against England (1-0) and Sam Kerr, a Chelsea player and international with Australia, completed the podium of the best players of 2023. team that reached the semifinals of the world championship. “I am a maverick, ambitious person and player, I always want more and it is something that defines me very well and that has led me here”, said the player.
In assessing the draw, the manager responsible for grassroots football and member of the sports commission, Joan Soler, also praised Aitana's speech. "She has been brave. She values what the players do. We are doing a great job with women's football. Aitana is a great professional and she deserves everything," Soler said.
In the men's category, Pep Guardiola was chosen as the best manager of the year after the treble he won with the Cup, Premier League and Champions League managing Manchester City. The technician did not come because he is on leave after a back operation. His pupil did, Erling Haaland, who won the game over Leo Messi and Kevin De Bruyne as the best player of 2023. "I am prepared to continue giving the best of myself, I like it when Pep demands me, he wants to get something out of me when I no longer have it. We also argued with my father. They are both tough. This award is a source of pride," said the Norwegian.
