Aitana Bonmatí has cemented her status as one of the world's best female footballers by becoming the first player to top the Guardian's Women's Footballer of the Year Top 100 for a third consecutive year. The 27-year-old midfielder, who plays for Barcelona and Spain, has continued to dominate the women's game despite missing several months of action due to injury.
Bonmatí's impressive form on the continental stage earned her first-time appearances in the top 10, including performances that helped Spain reach the Euro 2025 final. Her consistency and quality have made her a standout player, earning her a significant share of the No 1 votes - 43% - ahead of fellow Spaniard Mariona Caldentey.
The growth of the women's game has been evident in this year's top 100, with almost a quarter of the new faces coming from outside Europe. The rise of international tournaments and increased investment in women's football have contributed to this surge. Performances by players such as Esther Okoronkwo, Amanda Gutierres, and Gift Monday from Brazil, Nigeria, and Mexico respectively, have also earned them recognition.
Bonmatí remains at the top, with only three players - Lucy Bronze, Wendie Renard, and Pernille Harder - maintaining a place in the top 100 year-on-year. The dominance of the Women's Super League has also been highlighted, with 39 players on the list ahead of the NWSL and Liga F.
Despite her success, Bonmatí faces a significant challenge when she returns from injury, having missed over four months of action. However, her continued excellence has solidified her position as one of the greatest female footballers in the world, and it remains to be seen how the women's game evolves in the coming years.
Bonmatí's impressive form on the continental stage earned her first-time appearances in the top 10, including performances that helped Spain reach the Euro 2025 final. Her consistency and quality have made her a standout player, earning her a significant share of the No 1 votes - 43% - ahead of fellow Spaniard Mariona Caldentey.
The growth of the women's game has been evident in this year's top 100, with almost a quarter of the new faces coming from outside Europe. The rise of international tournaments and increased investment in women's football have contributed to this surge. Performances by players such as Esther Okoronkwo, Amanda Gutierres, and Gift Monday from Brazil, Nigeria, and Mexico respectively, have also earned them recognition.
Bonmatí remains at the top, with only three players - Lucy Bronze, Wendie Renard, and Pernille Harder - maintaining a place in the top 100 year-on-year. The dominance of the Women's Super League has also been highlighted, with 39 players on the list ahead of the NWSL and Liga F.
Despite her success, Bonmatí faces a significant challenge when she returns from injury, having missed over four months of action. However, her continued excellence has solidified her position as one of the greatest female footballers in the world, and it remains to be seen how the women's game evolves in the coming years.
I'm loving this resurgence of top female players taking the scene by storm! Aitana Bonmatí is totally deserving of that third consecutive spot on the Guardian's Women's Footballer of the Year Top 100 - her skills on the field are truly awe-inspiring 
. It's awesome to see more international talent popping up in this year's list, like those talented Brazilians and Nigerians, giving their countries a boost with football 
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. Now, with players like Bonmatí dominating the scene, I'm curious to see how it all unfolds - will the women's game continue to get more recognition, or are there still challenges to overcome? 
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. I mean, she's been named top female player for three years straight? That's insane! 
She's still playing at an incredible level despite being injured for months... that's like me trying to finish a marathon with a broken leg 
. The growth of women's football is amazing too - more players from outside Europe making it into the top 100? That's awesome! 
! And yeah, growth of women's game is huge 
. Can't wait to see what Aitana does next 
. Injuries r tough but she'll bounce back strong 
. Love how top 100 has so many talented women from outside Europe 
! Her form on the continental stage has been fire 
. The growth of women's football is amazing to see 
. The women's game is looking brighter than ever 
, and we can't wait to see what's next for these talented players 
. But at the same time, I'm kinda worried about her injury and how it'll affect her game when she comes back 
Still, she's still one of the best and I trust her to come back stronger than ever