Just 40 days until we have the winners of the 2024 Ballon d’Or in front of us. In the meantime, the debate over who will take home the prestigious award continues to intensify. Concerning the women’s category, many revered names are in the running. Yet, USWNT icon Ali Krieger has given the cold shoulder to her own nation’s Triple Espresso and is ‘hands down‘ in calling Aitana Bonmati the real contender for Ballon d’Or.

Be it her on-field presence, talent, or attacking quality, for the former US defender, everything makes the FC Barcelona feminine midfielder a ‘great and grand’ on-field. Despite winning over 23 titles, Krieger is also in awe of the ambition that Bonmati possesses of bringing more glory both individually and collectively.

“She’s so ambitious, that she wants to give back to the club that continues to invest in her. That is very special for a player to continue showing that loyalty,” said Ali on ESPN FC Futbol W, rating the 26-year-old’s caliber as the best in women’s soccer. Interestingly, when asked if she sees Aitana as the best player in the world, Krieger quickly responded, “Absolutely, hands down. I believe that.”

While she didn’t forget about the USWNT’s remarkable trio of Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman, and Sophia Smith, in her eyes, Bonmati stands out in the rankings. “Obviously, we have some of our American talent. The front three we saw at the Olympics can really come back…maybe some of those compliments to her.”

She continued, “But I really believe that all the titles that she [Bonmati] has won both individually and for her team, she is currently the best player in the world and obviously we see that now with the contract that she basically signed.” Surely, considering Bonmati as the best in the world automatically gives her the title of Ballon d’Or, a feat she achieved last year.

Despite remarkable performances of her own country stars including Swanson, Rodman, and Smith, Krieger seems to have boldly declared Aitana as the true heir of the prestigious accolade. Perhaps it must be based on the individual and collective achievements that Bonmati has earned, including the one that no soccer player has ever done before!

Aitana Bonmati has accomplished a feat that no player has been able to achieve before!

Earlier this year, Aitana Bonmati was awarded the 2024 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year. This award came thanks to her extraordinary 2023 season, winning the FIFA World Cup and the Golden Ball with Spain, the UEFA Champions League with FC Barcelona, as well as the Ballon d’Or and FIFA The Best. No previous Laureus World recipient has ever secured all of these accolades in a single year. Even Lionel Messi, despite his legendary status, falls short in comparison due to the absence of a Champions League title.

The last time the 37-year-old claimed the European trophy was in 2015. Although the 8x Ballon d’Or winner was nominated for next season’s Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award, he missed out, with Novak Djokovic taking home his third. While Messi finally won his first Laureus in 2020 and his second last year, neither came during a season in which he had also won the Champions League. Indeed, this is surely an achievement that makes Aitana Bonmati the best in her class. Therefore, one shouldn’t be surprised to see her lift her second Ballon d’Or.