Atiana Bonmati – The Pulse Of Football
A symbol of strength, inspiration, and unwavering spirit… that is Catalonia’s Atiana Bonmati. Atiana’s unwavering love for football and determination has made her an icon in the football world. In the world of patriarchy, Atiana stayed strong through setbacks encountering all the hurdles in her path. A well cherished spirit contributed significant victory to her national team Spain by winning the 2023 World Cup.
No steps were taken back ever since her journey began and now the Spanish star has been crowned as the new Ballon d’Or Feminin winner. After receiving the priceless award, she delivered a passionate message that they were “role models” with a responsibility on and off the pitch.
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The 25-year-old Spaniard outpitched a marvelous career as she lifted the World Cup, La Liga Feminin and the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The history of Catalonia is known for artists and rebels. The city is known for its artistic interpretation of resistance. In case of female football teams, their very own existence is itself an act of resistance. And Atiana is one among who continued the legacy on Catalonian ground.
At her very early age of 13, she started her journey with FC Barcelona. Atiana began her fight in her very childhood, the millennium saw her being the first one to bear her mother’s surname followed by her father’s. Ever since then she was known as Atiana Bonmati Conca, her first small triumph against inequality.
She took her fight then to the football field. At the age of 16, she made her debut for the senior team in Barca during the 2015/16 season. That was her start in which her unbreakable spirit shone through. In the following year, though she wasn’t able to have a win in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final, her determination never wavered a bit. But her tireless effort resulted in winning the league title in the 2019/20 season.
But the game which changed her destiny was the UEFA Women’s Champions League final. She was named the Player of the match after contributing to the 4-0 victory. The next season marked her astonishing imprint in history. She scored 18 goals but was let down in the final, when the trophy slipped away from their grip.
The 2022/23 season began adding a twist to her fate. The season awaited her with a journey of injuries. But she took her attacking role to adapt to the current scenario. And her determination led to yet another Liga title and secured second UEFA Women’s Championship league. And her journey was not just confined to club matches. Her brilliance guided Spain to their first major senior title by defeating England in 2023 FIFA World Cup final.
More than a player, she imparts her commitment to spread peace around the world and this was evident from the speech she gave on the Ballon d”Or night. She said, “We should be more than athletes. Keep leading by example and keep fighting for a better, peaceful and more equal world.”
She made this comment after Vinicius Jr was earlier recognised for the social activism and charity work he had done, after suffering instances of racist abuse in Spain, says Euro sport.
Atiana will always be remembered as one among the brightest star in football. Be it be joy or defeat, what shines through the girl is her love for her football. A spirit which will be kept for eternity.
