Aitana Bonmatí has cemented her position as one of the world's top female footballers, claiming the number one spot in The Guardian's Top 100 history for a third consecutive year.
The Barca midfielder's impressive form continues to set the bar high, leaving her rivals in the dust with a commanding 43% of the first-place votes. This achievement makes Bonmatí the only player to have held the top spot for three years running, and the first woman to do so.
Bonmatí's dominance is not limited to individual performances but also reflects the team success she has enjoyed with Barcelona and Spain. The Catalan giants have won numerous titles in recent years, and their success was a key factor in Bonmatí's emergence as a world-class player.
Despite her impressive record, Bonmatí's year was not without its challenges. She suffered a broken leg in training before the Nations League final, which will keep her sidelined for over four months of 2026. This setback highlights the risks and rewards that come with being an elite athlete at the top of their game.
Bonmatí's consistency and ability to deliver under pressure have made her a role model for young players around the world. Her success has paved the way for other talented females in the sport, and her influence extends beyond football itself, inspiring fans from diverse backgrounds with her incredible work ethic and dedication to the Catalan cause.
The Guardian's Top 100 list also highlighted a number of rising stars who are making waves in women's football. Players such as Esther González, Klara Bühl, and Vicky López demonstrated significant improvement over the past year, showcasing an exciting future for the sport.
The ranking also revealed that England has emerged as the nation with the most players, with 14 athletes featuring on the list, followed closely by Spain, France, and the USA. The NWSL continues to assert its dominance in the United States, boasting 19 players on the list, while the Women's Super League secured a top spot for 39 players worldwide.
Bonmatí's position at the top of the list underscores her exceptional talent and dedication to football.
The Barca midfielder's impressive form continues to set the bar high, leaving her rivals in the dust with a commanding 43% of the first-place votes. This achievement makes Bonmatí the only player to have held the top spot for three years running, and the first woman to do so.
Bonmatí's dominance is not limited to individual performances but also reflects the team success she has enjoyed with Barcelona and Spain. The Catalan giants have won numerous titles in recent years, and their success was a key factor in Bonmatí's emergence as a world-class player.
Despite her impressive record, Bonmatí's year was not without its challenges. She suffered a broken leg in training before the Nations League final, which will keep her sidelined for over four months of 2026. This setback highlights the risks and rewards that come with being an elite athlete at the top of their game.
Bonmatí's consistency and ability to deliver under pressure have made her a role model for young players around the world. Her success has paved the way for other talented females in the sport, and her influence extends beyond football itself, inspiring fans from diverse backgrounds with her incredible work ethic and dedication to the Catalan cause.
The Guardian's Top 100 list also highlighted a number of rising stars who are making waves in women's football. Players such as Esther González, Klara Bühl, and Vicky López demonstrated significant improvement over the past year, showcasing an exciting future for the sport.
The ranking also revealed that England has emerged as the nation with the most players, with 14 athletes featuring on the list, followed closely by Spain, France, and the USA. The NWSL continues to assert its dominance in the United States, boasting 19 players on the list, while the Women's Super League secured a top spot for 39 players worldwide.
Bonmatí's position at the top of the list underscores her exceptional talent and dedication to football.
I swear, every time I try to read an article, their navigation is all messed up. Like, I have to scroll through three pages just to get to the main content. Can't they optimize their site for actual humans instead of just coding wizards? 
And don't even get me started on the font size... it's like they're trying to torture people's eyes. 
! She's been killin' it on the pitch for years now, and it's no surprise she's taken over The Guardian's Top 100 list for a third year in a row 
. I mean, the girl can play, and her consistency is off the charts 
. But what really impresses me is how she's paved the way for other talented females in the sport – it's about time we saw more of them shinin' bright 
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. Aitana Bonmatí might be at the top of the list right now, but there are plenty of other talented players chasin' her crown 
!
she's definitely setting the bar high with that third consecutive win on The Guardian's Top 100 history! But what really got me thinking is how this achievement affects young girls who look up to her as a role model... will they feel pressure to be just like her? 
or will they be inspired to forge their own paths in football?
And let's not forget those rising stars like Esther González, Klara Bühl, and Vicky López - they're making waves for a reason 
still, her work ethic and dedication to the sport are truly inspiring 
y'know i'm so proud of aitana bonmatí 
she's literally on fire right now 
inspiring a whole new generation of female players to take up the sport and work hard towards their goals 
43% of first place votes? that's insane! 
and i love how the guardian is highlighting all these other talented young players making waves in women's football 
A broken leg in training and still manages to come out on top? It's like she has a team of personal physios or something... Meanwhile, the rest of us are stuck with injuries and mediocre pay 
I'm not surprised Aitana Bonmatí is at the top again! She's always been an incredible player, but it's even more amazing seeing how she consistently performs year after year. 
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I'm loving how Aitana Bonmatí is killing it on the pitch! Her work ethic is seriously inspiring, especially considering she's already broken a record for being named the top female footballer consecutively for 3 years 
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. The fact that they've won numerous titles in recent years has definitely helped cement her position as one of the world's top players 
I'm literally shaking with emotion over here! Aitana Bonmatí is just SOOO deserving of this top spot 
And can we talk about how inspiring she is to all the young girls out there? She's like, proof that with hard work and dedication, you can achieve ANYTHING 
. Long live Aitana Bonmatí, the queen of footy! 