“I’m on the air right now,” said Aitana Bonmati moments after Spain won the Women’s World Cup in Sydney in August. For those watching the performances of the sinuous midfielder, it appears she has long since been floating on a higher plane.
Such were Aitana’s performances for both club and country that Alexia Putellas, the two-time Ballon d’Or award winner, was left on the substitutes’ bench in the finals of both the Women’s Champions League and World Cup while Aitana starred. With Putellas sidelined through injury for the majority of the past season, Barcelona did not attempt to replace her. Instead, they signed England defensive midfielder Keira Walsh and released Aitana further forward to devastating effect.
Only one player had more shots than her at the Women’s World Cup (20) and alongside her fellow playmaker in the Spanish team, Jenni Hermoso, she was in the top ten for completed
