Aitana Bonmati Competes For Her Second Ballon D'Or Following Exceptional Year

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Aitana Bonmati, the Barcelona and Spain star, is a strong contender to retain the Ballon d'Or Feminin after another stellar season in 2023-24. Bonmati was named the world's best player after leading Spain to their first World Cup victory in 2023, following her teammate Alexia Putellas, who won in 2021 and 2022.

Bonmati played a crucial role in Barcelona's Liga F and Champions League double win in 2023-24, their third such achievement in four years. She scored the opening goal in Barcelona's 2-0 Champions League final win over Lyon in Bilbao and also netted during their 2-1 aggregate victory over Chelsea in the semi-finals.

In the league, Barcelona won 29 out of their 30 matches, drawing just one. Bonmati provided 11 assists, second only to her teammate Caroline Graham Hansen, who had 19 assists. Hansen is among five other Barcelona players on the 30-player shortlist for the Ballon d'Or Feminin, alongside Putellas, Ewa Pajor, Salma Paralluelo, and Patricia Guijarro.

Four Chelsea players are nominated following their dramatic Women's Super League title win under Emma Hayes' leadership. Former Barca full-back Lucy Bronze is joined by Lauren James, Sjoeke Nusken, and Mayra Ramirez on the list. Bronze and James are among three England internationals nominated, with Lauren Hemp also making the cut after scoring 11 goals for Manchester City last season.

The winners of both the women's and men's Ballon d'Or awards will be revealed at a ceremony in Paris on October 28.