Aitana Bonmati: “We cannot compare England and Spain. They don’t want or believe here” | Football | Kinds of sports

They say that to become the best in the world, you must first believe that you are the best in the world. The problem is that there is often everything in the way between believing it and being it. “Ambition is the reason I am the player I am today,” says Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, ​​26), winner of every possible individual award and now also nominated for the Laureus Awards, which will be presented next Monday. “However,” he clarifies, “I also suffered a lot; “I stopped enjoying a lot of things because I wanted more, because I wasn’t satisfied with my performance.” Close, but shy. Sometimes thoughtful, sometimes impulsive. Even though Aitana is cheerful and wild, her personality is full of nuances. He smiles in the Johan Cruyff press room ahead of the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea. He strokes his ear, looking away. But she relaxes so comfortably that she even dares to sing Arráncamelo by Argentine rapper WOS. “Lately, with more experience and age, I can enjoy it more. I also learned to relativize. Not all days are round,” he says. “What does it mean to be in the world? Always do what you want and be consistent with yourself.”

Ask. Has the Ballon d’Or brought you closer to the world you’re talking about?

Reply. I’m still as ambitious as ever. If a game doesn’t work out for me, it still bothers me. Things keep hurting me. I am very demanding of myself, despite all my achievements. But I don’t want to live with a torment in my head that won’t let me live. Football is a very important part of my life, but there are other things that make me happy.

TO. For example.

R. Contact my people from Ribes (Sant Pere de Ribes, their town is 40 km from Barcelona). It feels like nothing has changed. I really enjoy traveling because it helps me disconnect, gain new experiences and experience culture. It really fills me up. I also played guitar and piano, which is what I did when I was little. It connects me with my childhood. Whenever we met with family for Christmas, I would sing the song I learned. I enjoy reading. This is the moment of maximum concentration in which nothing else disturbs you. And I’m very curious, I always want to know why things happen. This came to me from my parents. They gave me a lot of culture and knowledge.

TO. How did your parents cope with all their success?

R. They are very normal people, very modest. They came to the Ballon d’Or ceremony almost obligated. They don’t like all this paraphernalia. They prefer to stay on the sidelines. They gave me a lot of peace of mind, they never put pressure on me. They are obviously proud of their daughter for excelling at what she loves most. They have seen me struggle with this my whole life, they have been part of this journey. I remember my father taking the train and bus and arriving late at night. I think it’s a source of pride for them, although we don’t talk about it much.

TO. Is this your hideout?

R. A lot of things may have changed due to exposure, but the most important thing is that I personally didn’t. I did not stop doing my usual things, my customs, my people. I still live in Ribes, the city of my life. There I feel peace. I can meet friends, see family… do normal human activities, then I feel calmer.

TO. What do you talk about with your friends?

R. I’m not allowed to talk about football. With friends and family I don’t want to talk about football, about my football. This is my job and I need free time. We talk a little about everything. The other day we analyzed the new album Okes Herbs.

question. He relies heavily on normality.

R. It was always very clear to me that I was the same and that nothing would change me. Because the moment I stop being myself, many things will be lost and I won’t enjoy what I do as much.

TO. You are still the same, but the way you look at your surroundings has changed.

R. How do people see me?

TO. Like the best player in the world?

R. They gave me an award, but I’m still the same person. There are changes happening at the level of social impact, especially in Catalonia: wherever I go, people usually recognize me. I noticed this.

TO. And do you like it?

R. I’m already used to it. I neither like it nor dislike it. I accept it, it’s part of the profession. Last year I was voted the best player in the world, and I understand that this has a very big impact. I take this responsibly, showing that I continue at a high level. Yes, it’s true that there are times when I would like more privacy. And it’s good that this is happening, it was unthinkable before. I lived through the years when women’s football was left on the sidelines. Now we live in this reality, which is useful and interesting.

TO. Where is women’s football heading?

R. Don’t know. I think it depends a lot on where.

TO. What does this mean?

R. Things seem to be going well in some countries, but in others we are still stuck. We can do our best, continue to be professional and continue to win. But if institutions don’t want to bet, don’t want this to continue to develop, or don’t see a future, nothing else will happen. We cannot compare England and Spain. They want and believe. Here they don’t want and don’t believe. So we’re stuck. However, Barça is beyond all these problems. We are pioneers not only at the national level, but also at the global level. But if Barça is not accompanied by a professional league, as God intended, in the end it is just a club that pulls a car.

TO. Are you saying this about Madrid?

R. No, I’m saying that Barca is the only club in Spain that deserves a lot of credit for everything it has done for women’s football.

TO. Could this end in a leak? talent?

R. We need to start taking this into account, especially if other leagues are more attractive and offer new challenges. This is not only an economic issue, but also a motivational issue. For example, playing in front of full stadiums. I’m surprised that all this is happening in Spain, where there is a two-time European champion, Barca, and a world champion team. This is all somehow illogical. It can be a reality for young players to realize that there are more and more opportunities and motivation out there. And this is a worrying thing.

TO. Are you thinking about traveling abroad?

R. I have one more year on my contract with the club, I’m very cool and I’ve been playing for Barça for 12 years. It’s a great honor to play here. But I am a person who never closes doors to anything. I largely allow myself to be guided by the feelings of the moment.

TO. Can you already imagine winning a third Champions League?

R. Yeah why not? At the end of the day, this is the goal we set at the beginning of the season and what we are most excited about. We are now in the semi-finals. We know Chelsea will be difficult opponents. I always say that I like to play these games in which I am a football player. The goal is to reach the final and win it, but I don’t want to look beyond the next two games.

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