BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2024 contender Aitana Bonmati

What does it feels like to keep breaking attendance records with Barcelona?

“If you look back, not many years ago, I still remember playing at [Barcelona’s] Miniestadi and there was hardly anyone there. And half of them were our parents and our friends, or people who knew us,” Bonmati told Uefa., external

“In a short space of time, things have changed a lot. We are still surprised because if you think about it objectively, you think, ‘look how far we’ve come!’ – and you’re very happy because you would have never imagined this, attendance record after attendance record.”

“I’m now getting recognised on the street and this is generally a source of pride for me. Being a reference point for young girls and boys is really special.”

What did it mean when Pep Guardiola called you the female equivalent of Andres Iniesta?

“When Guardiola said that about me, I felt special because he’s unique. He’s one of my idols, like Xavi and Iniesta. When they are writing to me and sending good messages and good words, it’s like, wow! For me, it means a lot.”