Aitana Bonmati’s Ballon d’Or Hat-Trick Highlights Voting System Flaws

Barcelona and Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmati has once again shown her dominance in football by winning her third consecutive Ballon d’Or. The award ceremony in Paris saw Bonmati deliver a gracious speech, reflecting on her journey and achievements.

Some folks argue her Spanish teammate Mariona Caldentey, who had an outstanding season with Arsenal, might have deserved the award more this year. Let’s dig into Bonmati’s win, the Ballon d’Or criteria, and what it all means for the women’s game.

Aitana Bonmati: A Historic Achievement

Bonmati’s third Ballon d’Or win cements her status as one of the greatest female footballers ever. At just 27, she joins legends like Lionel Messi and Michel Platini, becoming the first woman to win three Ballons d’Or in a row.

She racked up 20 goals and 16 assists across all competitions. Bonmati played a crucial role in helping Barcelona secure a domestic treble and led Spain to the finals of the European championship.

Bonmati’s Season in Numbers

• 20 goals across all competitions
• 16 assists in the season
• Domestic treble with Barcelona
• European championship final with Spain

Even with all that, some say Bonmati’s season didn’t quite reach the heights of her previous years. She looked a bit more human, which is almost comforting in a way.

The Case for Mariona Caldentey

Mariona Caldentey, Bonmati’s Spanish teammate and fellow midfielder, had a standout year with Arsenal. She moved to a new team and league, adapted fast, and led Arsenal to victory in the 2024-25 Champions League final against her old club, Barcelona.

Her efforts didn’t go unnoticed—she picked up several awards, including the first-ever WSL Player of the Season and the PFA Women’s Footballer of the Year.

Caldentey’s Achievements

• 19 goals across all competitions
• Inaugural WSL Player of the Season
• PFA Women’s Footballer of the Year
• Champions League winner with Arsenal

Given everything she pulled off, plenty of people feel Caldentey outdid herself this season. Switching teams and leagues, then performing at such a high level, really makes her Ballon d’Or case strong.

Criteria for the Ballon d’Or

The Ballon d’Or weighs individual performances, team achievements, and things like class and fair play. Voters look for decisive, impressive performances.

Bonmati’s deep connection with her teammates and Barcelona’s style definitely helped her shine. Meanwhile, Caldentey faced new challenges and environments, so her achievements stand out in a different way.

Voting Process

Fifty journalists from the top 50 FIFA-ranked nations vote for the Ballon d’Or. Critics often call out this process for being a bit shallow and sometimes missing the bigger picture.

As women’s football gets more complex and influential, there’s a growing call to make the voting process more thoughtful—players deserve it.

Bonmati’s Impact Beyond Statistics

Bonmati’s stats are impressive, sure, but they don’t tell the whole story. Her vision, instinct, and technical skills make her stand out, even when she’s not on the pitch.

This season, she battled viral meningitis but still made a huge impact in the European championship. She scored a crucial goal in the semi-final against Germany, helping Spain reach the final.

Bonmati’s Leadership

• Scored in the semi-final against Germany
• Overcame viral meningitis to make a significant impact
• Key player in Spain’s run to the European championship final

The Future of the Ballon d’Or

The women’s game keeps evolving, so the Ballon d’Or criteria and voting should keep up too. Including more diverse perspectives in the voting pool and weighing a player’s context and achievements more carefully would help keep the award meaningful.

Next year’s international competitions—World Cup qualifiers, the Asian Cup, and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations—will give us more chances to see who really stands out on the world stage.

Looking Ahead

• World Cup qualifiers in 2026
• Asian Cup and Women’s Africa Cup of Nations
• Increased emphasis on club performances

Evaluating performances keeps shifting, and honestly, it demands a bit more care and attention when folks vote for the Ballon d’Or.

Players like Bonmati and Caldentey deserve real recognition for what they bring to the game.

If you want a deeper dive into Aitana Bonmati’s third Ballon d’Or win and all the debates around it, check out the full article on the New York Times.