Midfielder Aitana Bonmati was named Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year for her key role in Spain's 2023 Women's World Cup victory and an impressive season with Barcelona.
Bonmati won the Golden Ball for the best player at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand last year, as Spain were named world champions after beating England 1-0 in the final. The 26-year-old played in every game at the tournament and was a cornerstone of the team.
She also helped Barcelona win their second Champions League trophy in the 2022-23 season and won FIFA's The Best and Ballon d'Or awards, positioning herself as one of the best players in the women's game.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 20: Aitana Bonmati of Spain is awarded the FIFA Golden Ball Award at the ... [+] award ceremony following the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Final match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney / Gadigal, Australia. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Bonmati became the first football player to be named the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year and she made her way to the stage twice on Monday as Spain were named the Laureus World Team of the Year, the first all-female team to win the prestigious award.
“I am honored to receive the Laureus for Sportswoman of the Year – and I am also very happy that my international team-mates have been recognized as the Team of the Year by the Laureus World Sports Academy,” Bonmati said at the event in Madrid.
“To be the first footballer to win this award makes it even more special and I hope to represent my sport in the same way that those great champions have done.”
Bonmati joined an elite list of winners, which includes Serena Williams, Simone Biles, Lindsey Vonn, Naomi Osaka, and last year's winner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
“They are all incredible athletes who have not only excelled in their chosen sports but been incredible role models for younger generations of young women and girls,” Bonmati said about them.
Ivana Andres of Spain and Real Madrid lifts the trophy after winning with her team the FIFA Women's ... [+] World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Final match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The midfielder also praised the Spain players, who overcame a group-stage defeat at the World Cup and went on to win their maiden world title.
“As the first women's team to win the Laureus, we are proud of our status as pioneers and as a group, we are as committed to equality and representation as we are to what we do on the football pitch.”
Novak Djokovic was named the Laureus Sportsman of the Year for a record-equaling fifth time after the Serbian matched Margaret Court's record haul of 24 Grand Slam titles after winning the U.S. Open last September.
England's Jude Bellingham, who has enjoyed a remarkable debut season with Real Madrid, was named the Breakthrough Player of the Year, becoming the first footballer to win this award.
Gymnast Simone Biles won the Comeback of the Year award for winning four gold medals at last year's world championships, her first international event since she walked out on the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after struggling with her mental health.