Aitana Bonmatí makes Guardian top 100 history with third title in a row

Aitana Bonmatí has cemented her status as a football legend after becoming the first player to finish at the top of the Guardian's Women's Footballer of the Year Top 100 for three consecutive years. The 27-year-old midfielder from Barcelona, who is also Spain's captain, has dominated the women's game for several seasons now.

Bonmatí's impressive performances on and off the pitch have earned her widespread recognition, including this latest accolade. Despite missing a significant portion of 2026 due to injury, she remains an iconic figure in football, synonymous with Barcelona and Spanish national team. Her incredible ability to step up when needed most has made her a beloved leader among fans and peers alike.

What's remarkable about Bonmatí is that she's not only a top performer but also a trailblazer for women in football. Born and raised in Catalonia, her Catalan heritage runs deep, and it's clear how much this culture has influenced her career. As the first female player to be crowned Guardian Top 100 three years running, Bonmatí truly stands out.

The article highlights just how fast the women's game is growing, with almost a quarter of this year's top 100 being brand new faces. Other players like Hannah Hampton from England and Esther Okoronkwo from Canada are rising stars who deserve recognition for their impressive performances. This upward trend reflects the increasing competition in women's football, making it harder to maintain a position in the Top 100.

While Bonmatí tops the list, other notable players include Mariona Caldentey, Alessia Russo and Alexia Putellas. Despite some changes across the top 100 this year, England remains the nation with the most players at 14, followed closely by Spain at 13.

idk why she's so hyped ... don't get me wrong she's def a great player and all but is it really that big of a deal to be top 100 for three years in a row? i mean, what's the criteria again? just finishing at the top? seems kinda arbitrary to me

come on, three years in a row? is it even fair to just pick one person every year anyone else feel like bonmatí has it rigged lol she's been so dominant but is that really representative of the rest of the game? and btw how do you get someone from canada and england into top 100 if they didn't have a decent season last year? feels like some bias towards the european leagues

I'm not surprised to see Aitana Bonmatí on top of the Guardian's Women's Footballer of the Year Top 100 for three consecutive years... but it's a bit overhyped, if you ask me . Don't get me wrong, she's an amazing player and all, but is this really a reflection of her greatness? Or is it just a case of being in the right place at the right time?

I mean, think about it - there are so many talented female players out there who aren't getting the same level of recognition. Like, have you seen the skills on display by some of these new faces like Hannah Hampton and Esther Okoronkwo? They're giving Bonmatí a run for her money, but do they get the same coverage? Nope.

It's not to say that Bonmatí doesn't deserve it - she does! But let's not forget that this is just one list, and there are many other measures of greatness. What about her stats compared to some of these up-and-coming players? Is she really the best in the business?

I'm loving how Aitana Bonmatí is breaking barriers in football ! Three years in a row? That's insane ! Not only is she an incredible player, but she's also paving the way for more women to shine in the sport . And can we talk about her influence on Catalan culture? It's so cool to see her heritage shining through . The fact that almost a quarter of this year's top 100 are new faces is super exciting ! More representation and competition means better football for everyone !

I'm like totally loving the fact that Aitana Bonmatí is killing it on the pitch for so long ! Three years in a row being named one of the top 100 is crazy impressive, and I think it's awesome how she's breaking barriers as a female player in football. I mean, back in my day, we didn't even have women's leagues like we do now... . And can you believe Hannah Hampton from England is on that list too? Young talent alert! The fact that almost a quarter of the new faces this year are women just goes to show how far the game has come. It's like my grandma used to say, "The future belongs to those who believe in it" . Anyway, Bonmatí is def an icon and I'm hyped for her continued success!

I mean, can you believe Aitana's consistency? Three years in a row, Top 100 no doubt! It just goes to show that hard work and dedication really do pay off . And you're right, it's not just about her skills on the pitch – she's breaking down barriers for women in football everywhere. I'm loving the growth of the game, too – so many fresh faces making waves this year! It's a great time to be a fan of women's football.

She's a legend on and off the pitch, I'm not surprised she's made it to the top for three years running . What's impressive is how she's breaking barriers for women in football, paving the way for others like Hannah Hampton and Esther Okoronkwo . Her Catalan heritage is definitely a part of her success, but let's not forget her incredible skills on the field – it's no surprise she's a fan favorite among Barcelona and Spain fans .

The growth of women's football is insane! I'm loving seeing more new faces in the Top 100 . It shows that the competition is getting fiercer, which means we'll get to see even more amazing players rise to the top . And can't forget about the other notable mentions like Mariona Caldentey, Alessia Russo and Alexia Putellas – they're all on fire !

I'm so stoked for Aitana Bonmatí ! She's literally been killing it on the pitch for years now and it's amazing to see her break all these records. I mean, three years in a row? That's just mental! And what's really inspiring is how she's paving the way for other talented women players like Hannah Hampton and Esther Okoronkwo. The fact that almost 25% of this year's top 100 are new faces is just crazy - it shows how far the game has come! But you know what's even more awesome? Seeing her Catalan heritage shine through in everything she does - it's like a big ol' flag wavin' for Catalonia . Anyway, I'm so proud of Aitana for all she's achieved and can't wait to see what the future holds for this talented player!

I mean, can we really say Aitana Bonmatí is a legend yet? I'm not saying she's not talented or whatever, but three years in a row getting top 100 recognition doesn't automatically make you a football legend. What about the other players who've been putting out amazing performances for years? Don't they deserve some love too? I'd like to see more data on how she's actually measuring up against her peers, not just anecdotal evidence of how great she is. And what's with the stats that England has 14 players and Spain has 13 in the top 100? That seems like a pretty small sample size .

It's all about perseverance & dedication ! Aitana Bonmatí's story is a perfect example of that. She's been on top for three years straight, but she could've easily gotten discouraged after missing part of the season due to injury . But nope, she keeps pushing forward and proving herself even more . That's what it takes to be a trailblazer & stay at the top ️! It's also awesome to see other talented players like Hannah Hampton & Esther Okoronkwo breaking into the scene . We can all learn from their determination & passion for the game .

omg i'm so hyped for Aitana Bonmatí!!! she's literally a superhero on and off the pitch her dedication to the sport is inspiring, especially considering she's been through some tough injuries in 2026 still, she's an icon in every way, not just because of her skills but also for paving the way for other women in football it's amazing to see a new generation of talented players emerging, like Hannah Hampton and Esther Okoronkwo - can't wait to see what they achieve next!

I remember watching Aitana play for Barcelona's youth team back in the day... okay maybe not back in the day but more like 10 years ago? she was already a star then! anywayz i think its amazing how far women's football has come and how many talented players are out there now. I mean, Bonmatí is just one example of what can be achieved with hard work and dedication. And its awesome to see more countries like England and Spain represented on the list

love how Aitana Bonmatí is killing it on the pitch and off too! she's such an inspiration to many young girls & women who want to play football . it's amazing to see the growth of the women's game, new faces emerging all the time ... keeps things fresh & exciting

I mean, can you believe Bonmatí is still killing it even after that injury? She's like a phoenix from the ashes, I'm loving how she's still inspiring us all with her dedication & work ethic . And yeah, it's crazy to see so many new faces in this year's top 100 - some of these players are absolute stars waiting to happen ! The growth of women's football is insane & we should be giving it up for the pioneers like Bonmatí who paved the way for all these talented young players . It's also cool to see the Catalan culture shine through in her game, feels like she's representing not just herself but her entire region too . What do you guys think about this rising trend?

She's still got it , three years in a row is crazy! I'm loving how she's breaking down barriers for women in football , it's about time we see more female players making waves in the sport . And I'm all about that Catalan heritage vibe , it's like she's representing not just Spain but her whole culture too . The fact that there are so many new faces on this list is awesome , it means the game is getting more competitive and talented every year!