They say greatness often arrives in threes, and Aitana Bonmatí has now etched her name deeper than ever into football’s modern history. The Spanish and Barcelona midfield maestro has become the first player to finish top of the Guardian’s Top 100 list for a third straight year – a remarkable feat that underlines her dominance and influence across the women’s game.
Last year, Bonmatí drew level with her compatriot and former Barcelona teammate Alexia Putellas by winning the award for the second time in a row. This year, however, she has pushed beyond the boundaries of her era. At only 27, she has done what no one before her has: setting a new benchmark for consistency, excellence, and footballing brilliance.
As the Top 100 enters its 10th year of existence, no individual has managed to define an era quite like Bonmatí. Her 2025 season may not have ended with major European silverware, but that matters little when assessing her impact. From inspiring Barcelona’s run to the Champions League final to leading Spain to the Euro 2025 final, she delivered countless moments of artistry and leadership that reminded the world why she sits above all others.
Bonmatí has matured into the type of player who rises when the pressure peaks — a trait that has turned her into the heartbeat of both club and country. With over 300 appearances for Barcelona, she embodies the club’s identity as deeply as anyone ever has. Born and raised in Catalonia, the midfielder’s roots run deep within the region. Both of her parents were teachers of the Catalan language, ensuring that her life has always been intertwined with the culture she now proudly represents on the global stage. Today, she stands not only as a sporting figure but a cultural icon revered far beyond her homeland.
Yet her brilliance comes with a temporary setback. Bonmatí suffered a broken leg in training ahead of the Nations League final, ruling her out for more than four months in 2026. Her absence will undoubtedly be felt, such is the scale of her influence.
Despite the injury, Bonmatí still secured the No.1 ranking, though the margin narrowed this year. She finished 453 points ahead of fellow Spaniard Mariona Caldentey — a smaller gap compared to her 568-point lead over Caroline Graham Hansen in 2024. Nonetheless, the numbers reinforce her place at the pinnacle. From a massive judging panel of 143 experts, Bonmatí received 43% of all first-place votes. Caldentey followed with 21%, while Alessia Russo and Putellas each secured 8%.
In a period where England celebrated their second Euro triumph, Brazil reclaimed South American dominance, and Nigeria resurged atop African football, the Top 100 took on a fresh, dynamic look. First-time top-10 entries such as Russo, Hampton, Chawinga, Pina, Guijarro, and Pajor illustrated a generational shift within the sport.
Barcelona’s rising star Clàudia Pina was the biggest mover of all, skyrocketing 65 places from her 2024 ranking. Gotham FC’s Esther González surged 59 spots, while Klara Bühl’s jump of 40 and Russo’s rise of 39 propelled the Arsenal forward into the top three.
The list also achieved several historical milestones. Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak earned her nation’s first-ever entry. Canada’s new Northern Super League made an immediate mark thanks to Nigerian forward Esther Okoronkwo of AFC Toronto. Nearly a quarter of the Top 100 are new faces, highlighting just how rapidly the women’s game continues to expand and evolve.
Among those debuting high on the list was England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who entered straight into the top five following her Euro-winning heroics. Other newcomers such as Vicky López, Sofia Cantore, Nathalie Björn, and Michelle Agyemang all landed within the top 50, showcasing the depth of global talent emerging at breakneck speed.
The summer’s continental tournaments also shaped the rankings. Performances from players like Okoronkwo, Brazil’s Amanda Gutierres, and Nigeria’s Gift Monday earned them deserved recognition. Meanwhile, rising talents such as Olivia Smith, Lily Yohannes, and Signe Gaupset made their first appearances — signalling the arrival of the next generation of superstars. Mexico’s Charlyn Corral also gained long-awaited acknowledgment for her consistency.
The rankings welcomed back notable names as well, including England and Arsenal duo Leah Williamson and Chloe Kelly, both returning after trophy-laden seasons. Sandy Baltimore and Cristiana Girelli also re-entered within the top quarter.
Longevity remains rare in elite football, but Lucy Bronze, Wendie Renard, and Pernille Harder stand alone as the only players to appear in every Top 100 edition. Others, like Saki Kumagai and Jenni Hermoso, dropped out for the first time.
Chelsea, fresh off a domestic treble under Sonia Bompastor, dominated club representation with 15 players — surpassing Arsenal’s 14 and Barcelona’s 12. Unsurprisingly, after their latest Euro triumph, England secured the most national representatives with 14, narrowly edging Spain’s 13. The USA and France followed with nine each, while Brazil broke into the top five with five players.
The Women’s Super League further tightened its grip on elite talent with 39 players on the list — 12 more than last year — asserting itself ahead of the NWSL (19) and Liga F (16).
Age diversity also remained a defining feature of the rankings. Brazil’s iconic Marta, now 39, proved once again that class endures, scoring a dramatic late goal in the Copa América final. Meanwhile, Yohannes, at just 18, was the youngest representative, joined by fellow teenagers López and Agyemang.
And yet, among legends and prodigies alike, one name continues to rise above them all: Aitana Bonmatí. A footballer of rare intelligence, unmatched vision, and unwavering consistency, she has once again proven why she stands as the defining player of this era — and possibly one of the greatest ever.
