Ballon d’Or 2024: Aitana Bonmati hopes to put an end to comparisons with Lionel Messi following the Barcelona star’s consecutive award victories.

Aitana Bonmati has made a heartfelt plea for fans and pundits alike to refrain from drawing comparisons between her and Barcelona icon Lionel Messi. The Spanish midfielder has recently enjoyed a remarkable run of form, scoring the opening goal in Barcelona’s 2-0 victory over Lyon in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final, where she was also named Player of the Tournament.

In addition to her club success, Bonmati has added to her international accolades, helping Spain clinch the UEFA Nations League title. She played a pivotal role in the final against France, contributing a goal to secure a 2-0 win for her country.

Barcelona players dominated the voting for the prestigious award, with Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo finishing in second and third place, respectively. This year marked the sixth edition of the award, which was first claimed by Ada Hegerberg in 2018, followed by Megan Rapinoe in 2019. Alexia Putellas, another Barcelona star, took home the Golden Ball in both 2021 and 2022, before Bonmati’s impressive double in the last two years.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Bonmati expressed her admiration for Messi’s unparalleled achievements in football. “I don’t want to compare myself to Messi; it’s too difficult to achieve what he did and is unique with what he achieved in football history,” she stated. “We are two different people; I don’t want to compare myself to him, and I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved.”

While Bonmati has equalled the tally of her club teammate Putellas, she insists that this recognition does not add any undue pressure. “I don’t feel more pressured because I have two Ballon d’Or awards, I can assure you that,” she remarked.

The midfielder attributes her success to her strong mindset, emphasising its importance alongside talent and hard work. “Always aiming for more. When they tell you that you’ve played a good game, and yet you want to get better. This is something I always carry with me. I’ve suffered quite a bit because of it. Because I always want more,” she concluded.

Bonmati’s journey is a testament to the powerful generation of women in football, and she remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the sport.