Aitana Bonmatí is not just a midfielder. She is a magician. The Barcelona midfielder has been one of the most influential players in the Catalan club’s dominant performance in recent years, winning two consecutive continental trebles and stepping up as the team’s playmaker in the absence of Alexia Putellas. She is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, and one of the most skillful players in the game.

Born in Vilanova i la Geltrú, a city near Barcelona, Aitana started playing football at the age of seven, inspired by her father and brother. She joined Ribes, where she played with boys until she was 12. She then moved to Cubelles, where she played for two years. In 2012, she joined Barcelona’s youth academy, where she developed her talent and technique.

In 2014, she was promoted to Barcelona’s B team, where she led them to their first ever Second Division league title in 2015-16. She also made her debut for the first team in the cup that season. In the summer of 2016, she made the definitive move to the first team squad.

She quickly established herself as a key player for the team, playing as a creative midfielder who can also operate on the wings or as a second striker. She is known for her vision, creativity, passing, dribbling, and shooting skills. She has scored 52 goals in 154 appearances for Barcelona, making her one of the most prolific midfielders in the club’s history.

With Barcelona, she has won seven league titles, seven Copas de la Reina, and two UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies. She was instrumental in Barcelona’s historic 2020–21 season, when they became the first Spanish team to win the Champions League, beating Chelsea 4-0 in the final. They also won the league and the cup, completing the first continental treble in women’s football history.

Aitana scored three goals in that Champions League campaign, including a crucial goal against Manchester City in the round of 16. She also scored six goals in the league, helping Barcelona clinch their sixth consecutive league title. She was named in the UEFA Women’s Champions League squad of the season for the first time in her career.

She repeated the feat in 2022–23, when Barcelona staged a remarkable comeback to beat Wolfsburg 3-2 in the Champions League final and retain their crown. She scored one goal in that final, setting up Barcelona’s comeback with a stunning volley. She also scored eight goals in the league, helping Barcelona clinch their seventh consecutive league title. She was once again named in the UEFA Women’s Champions League squad of the season.

On the international stage, Aitana has been a regular for Spain since 2017, earning 47 caps and scoring 16 goals. She has played in two major tournaments with Spain: the 2017 and 2021 Euros. She has also had success with Spain’s U-17 and U-19 youth categories. She has won two UEFA Youth Championships – one each with Spain’s U-17s and U-19s – and has been runner-up in two FIFA Youth Women’s World Cups – one each with Spain’s U-17s and U-19s.