By News18,Vivek Ganapathy

Copyright news18

Barcelona and Spain star Aintana Bonmati etched her name into the history books with her triumph at the Ballon d’Or 2025 where she claimed the best women’s player of the year.
The victory marked her third title on the bounce as she became the first women to claim the top-honour as many times on the trot.
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“I am a bit emotional. For the third time, I am here, this is amazing. Thanks to France Football for the award for the third time, this season we delivered an outstanding performance,” Bonmati said following the triumph.
“When I was a kid, I didn’t think women’s football could exist. My idols were Iniesta and Xavi because I only saw them. Now my trophies are because of the collective work of the women’s game,” she added.
“We are letting young girls dream, this is our biggest achievement,” the 27-year-old continued.
Bonmati edged out her Spain teammate Mariona Caldentey, who faced defeat against England in the Women’s Euro 2025 final decided by penalties in July. The 27-year-old midfielder also suffered a loss in the Women’s Champions League final last season, with her club falling to Caldentey’s Arsenal. Despite not starting Spain’s first two matches due to recovering from viral meningitis, Bonmati was named the player of the tournament at the Euros.
Alessia Russo, one of the nominees from England’s victorious European Championship team, finished in third place. The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual prize in both men’s and women’s football. Bonmati’s three consecutive wins follow back-to-back victories by her Barcelona and Spain teammate, Alexia Putellas. Norway’s Ada Hegerberg and USA star Megan Rapinoe are the only other players to have won the Women’s Ballon d’Or since its introduction in 2018.