Age: 26 Position: Midfielder Teams: Barcelona and Spain

Aitana Bonmati has once again found herself at the centre of success for both Barcelona and Spain.

The creative playmaker won every possible trophy at club level as Barcelona secured a historic quadruple.

They won a fifth straight league title along with success in the Champions League, Supercopa and Copa de la Reina and Bonmati reached a career-best tally of 19 goals across all four competitions.

The 2023 Ballon d’Or winner netted the first goal in Barca’s Champions League final triumph over Lyon and was named the tournament’s player of the season.

And just as she helped Spain to lift their first World Cup trophy in 2023, Bonmati spearheaded their charge to the inaugural Nations League title in February with four goals, including one in their 2-0 win over France in the final.

What makes Barcelona such a winning team?

“I think that in the past we had the talent, the skills, but maybe we didn’t have the physique, the mentality, the winning mentality. I think putting these three things together, we became a winning team.

“We also are fighting for everything. We start the season every year thinking we can win everything, and we want to win everything.”

Was she tempted by offers to leave Barcelona in the summer?

“I wasn’t tempted to accept but I did listen,” she told the Athletic., external

“The priority has always been Barca, they have always come first. I always say that I like to listen and see what’s out there, but there won’t be anywhere like here.

“I don’t know if there is another club in the world that moves as many people as we do. What we experienced at San Mames [when tens of thousands of Barca fans filled the stands for last season’s Champions League final victory over Lyon], I don’t know if any other club could experience that.”

What does it feels like to keep breaking attendance records with Barcelona?

“If you look back, not many years ago, I still remember playing at [Barcelona’s] Miniestadi and there was hardly anyone there. And half of them were our parents and our friends, or people who knew us,” Bonmati told Uefa., external

“In a short space of time, things have changed a lot. We are still surprised because if you think about it objectively, you think, ‘look how far we’ve come!’ – and you’re very happy because you would have never imagined this, attendance record after attendance record.”

“I’m now getting recognised on the street and this is generally a source of pride for me. Being a reference point for young girls and boys is really special.”

What did it mean when Pep Guardiola called you the female equivalent of Andres Iniesta?

“When Guardiola said that about me, I felt special because he’s unique. He’s one of my idols, like Xavi and Iniesta. When they are writing to me and sending good messages and good words, it’s like, wow! For me, it means a lot.”

Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh: “She’s an unbelievable professional. It’s a privilege for me to train alongside her every day and play with her. She makes my job easier by the way she moves, how technical she is, and the way she sees the game is incredible.”

Manchester City men’s manager Pep Guardiola: “Aitana Bonmati is a football player who has me completely in love with her for the way she plays. I would say she is like the women’s Iniesta.”

Bonmati’s former Barcelona Cadet coach Jordi Ventura: “An intense player, very competitive and perfectly dominates with both legs.”