Aitana Bonmatí has etched herself into history by becoming the first player to claim the top spot in The Guardian's Women's Footballer of the Year list for a third consecutive year. This remarkable feat solidifies her position as one of the most dominant forces in women's football.
Bonmatí's impressive form, which saw her help Barcelona win major silverware on the European stage, including a Champions League final and an Euro 2025 title with Spain, has earned her widespread recognition. Her ability to consistently deliver outstanding performances has made her a standout figure in the women's game, with many regarding her as synonymous with excellence.
While there were other players who had strong seasons, Bonmatí's consistent dominance has secured her top spot for another year. This achievement is all the more remarkable given that she will be missing more than four months of 2026 due to a leg injury sustained before the Nations League final.
The growth and development of women's football have been evident in this year's list, with almost a quarter of the 100 players making their debut. This surge in talent has been driven by the increasing popularity of the sport, and the introduction of new competitions such as the Northern Super League in Canada.
Other notable performances were witnessed by players like Hannah Hampton, who shot straight into the top five after her Euro-winning performances, and those from Mexico, Nigeria, and Brazil, who gained long overdue recognition for their contributions to their respective countries' success.
Despite Bonmatí's remarkable achievement, others have maintained a consistent level of excellence over the years. Players like Lucy Bronze, Wendie Renard, and Pernille Harder remain in the top 100 every year, while some newcomers made significant impacts on the list, such as Aoba Fujino and Mary Fowler.
As women's football continues to grow and evolve, it is clear that players like Bonmatí will be instrumental in shaping its future. Her status as one of the greatest of her generation serves as a benchmark for others to follow, inspiring a new generation of talented athletes to take up the sport.
Bonmatí's impressive form, which saw her help Barcelona win major silverware on the European stage, including a Champions League final and an Euro 2025 title with Spain, has earned her widespread recognition. Her ability to consistently deliver outstanding performances has made her a standout figure in the women's game, with many regarding her as synonymous with excellence.
While there were other players who had strong seasons, Bonmatí's consistent dominance has secured her top spot for another year. This achievement is all the more remarkable given that she will be missing more than four months of 2026 due to a leg injury sustained before the Nations League final.
The growth and development of women's football have been evident in this year's list, with almost a quarter of the 100 players making their debut. This surge in talent has been driven by the increasing popularity of the sport, and the introduction of new competitions such as the Northern Super League in Canada.
Other notable performances were witnessed by players like Hannah Hampton, who shot straight into the top five after her Euro-winning performances, and those from Mexico, Nigeria, and Brazil, who gained long overdue recognition for their contributions to their respective countries' success.
Despite Bonmatí's remarkable achievement, others have maintained a consistent level of excellence over the years. Players like Lucy Bronze, Wendie Renard, and Pernille Harder remain in the top 100 every year, while some newcomers made significant impacts on the list, such as Aoba Fujino and Mary Fowler.
As women's football continues to grow and evolve, it is clear that players like Bonmatí will be instrumental in shaping its future. Her status as one of the greatest of her generation serves as a benchmark for others to follow, inspiring a new generation of talented athletes to take up the sport.
I'm loving this trend of women's football taking center stage! 2025 has seen an explosion of talent, with almost 25% of the top 100 players making their debut 
. It's amazing to see Aitana Bonmatí's dominance hold strong for a third consecutive year 
. The Euro 2025 title was a major milestone, and her injury in 2026 is gonna be super tough to navigate... but I have no doubt she'll come back even stronger 
.
. Hannah Hampton's top-five spot is well-deserved, and it's awesome to see players from Mexico, Nigeria, and Brazil getting recognition for their hard work 
. The stats are mind-blowing: 17% of players have been with Barcelona or Chelsea in the last two years 
.
Total goals scored by Aitana Bonmatí in her career: 123 
Total number of countries represented by players on this year's top 100 list: 53 
Was it just Barcelona winning or were they actually playing well too?
Aitana Bonmatí is literally a football queen 
! I'm so hyped that she's made history by claiming The Guardian's Women's Footballer of the Year list for the third consecutive year 
. Her dominance on the pitch is insane, and it's amazing to see her inspire a whole new generation of female players 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to be like her? 
The growth of women's football is so exciting, and players like Aoba Fujino and Mary Fowler are definitely ones to watch 
!
. The fact that almost a quarter of the players making their debut is just a numbers game, but I guess it's a good sign for the sport's growth 
...or maybe it'll just lead to more parity and less dominance from top players like Bonmatí 
. And don't even get me started on how she's going to come back from her injury in 2026, that's gonna be a storyline to watch...not because I think she'll succeed 
.
I'm not surprised she's won it for three years in a row - her skills on the pitch are just insane 
! What's your take on the growth of women's football, have you been following any notable players besides Aitana Bonmatí?