The state of women’s football in Spain continues to face significant challenges, according to Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati. Despite winning the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Bonmati believes that “nothing has changed” for female players in the country, both at the national team level and in the domestic league. In comparison, she points out that when England won the Euros, there were noticeable changes and advancements in the women’s game.
Bonmati specifically highlights the issues within Spain’s Liga F and praises the Women’s Super League (WSL) in England for the progress it has made. She credits the WSL for treating women’s football well, empowering players and investing in the league’s development. Bonmati also notes that English teams like Arsenal and Manchester City play a style of football that attracts Spanish players who excel in possession-based play.
The appeal of the WSL has led to several Spanish players, including Laia Aleixandri, Leila Ouahabi, Lucia Garcia, Irene Guerrero, and Laia Codina, making moves to English clubs. Bonmati believes that the competitive nature of the WSL, along with its continuous financial growth, makes it an attractive destination for Spanish players.
Despite her personal success and achievements with Barcelona and the Spanish national team, Bonmati expresses frustration at the lack of progress within women’s football in Spain. She believes that the responsibility for change lies with league authorities and not with individual players. While players like Bonmati can voice their opinions and advocate for improvements, they ultimately cannot enact change themselves.
Bonmati also criticizes the structure of the Liga F, suggesting that having 16 teams in the league diminishes its competitiveness and attractiveness. She expresses disappointment in the lack of clear changes on the horizon and views this as a missed opportunity for women’s football in Spain.
In conclusion, Aitana Bonmati’s insights shed light on the challenges faced by female players in Spain. Despite winning the Women’s World Cup, she believes that little has changed for women’s football in the country, both at the national team level and within the domestic league. Bonmati praises the progress made by the WSL in England and acknowledges the appeal it holds for Spanish players. She emphasizes that the responsibility for change lies with league authorities and expresses disappointment in the lack of progress and attractiveness of the Liga F.