What makes Barcelona's Ballon d'Or winners Bonmati and Lopez so special?

The Ballon d'Or is 1 of the astir prestigious idiosyncratic awards successful football, fixed to the champion men's and women's subordinate of the past year. And for 2025, Barcelona's women had a large time astatine the Théâtre du Châtelet, winning the Ballon d'Or, the inaugural Kopa Trophy for Best under-21 player, and Gerd Muller prize for apical extremity scorer.

Midfielder Aitana Bonmati bushed Arsenal duo Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo to adhd a third-straight Ballon d'Or to her collection, portion the Kopa grant was won by winger Vicky López up of Real Madrid's Linda Caicedo and Chelsea's Wieke Kaptein, arsenic striker Ewa Pajor landed the Gerd Muller Trophy having netted 43 goals successful 45 games successful her archetypal play since transferring from VfL Wolfsburg.

But what makes Bonmati and Lopez truthful special?

Ballon d'Or winner: Aitana Bonmatí, 27, Barcelona, CM

Three successful a enactment for Aitana Bonmati ! Caldentey & Russo for the podium #ballondor pic.twitter.com/pRuV0OwFAo

Bonmati made past by becoming the archetypal women's subordinate to triumph the Ballon d'Or 3 times, overtaking her midfield spouse for nine and country, Alexia Putellas. The 27-year-old didn't instrumentality location the UEFA Women's Champions League trophy, aft a 1-0 decision to Arsenal, but she did triumph a home treble with Barcelona and played a important relation successful each competitions. She besides helped catapult Spain into their first-ever Women's Euros final, though that besides ended successful a 1-0 decision to England.

Standing lone 5-foot-4, she is simply a savant connected the ball, blessed with fantabulous archetypal interaction and adjacent control. Bonmati's power was evident successful each signifier of play for some nine and country, and she finished associated 5th for astir extremity contributions successful Liga F, with 12 goals and six assists -- her 3rd consecutive play with 15+ -- while, successful the UWCL, lone teammate Patri Guijarro (5) had much assists than her four.

The midfield maestro is heavy influential successful Barcelona's attacks, consistently creating chances and getting into the box. Her vision, accomplishment connected the shot and inventiveness is what separates Bonmati from the rest, arsenic her quality to person possession connected the half-turn past determination guardant allows her to dissect the defence and make opportunities for her teammates.

No subordinate created much chances (68) than Bonmati in...