“This is their best moment since they were at Barça” | Relief

The first meeting between Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati in an official match in a Barça jersey was full of charm. 8:0 – in favor – against Sant Pere Pescador, who played in the Preferenta, in the semi-finals of the Catalan Cup.. And at the municipal football field of Xevi Ramon, in Vilassar de Mar. Who knows whether the mystical story around Ona Batlle (a native of there) will be watching the game in the stands.

Several years later, in a relationship with ups and downs, several sources – and what is visible – agree that both have moved closer to each other. and they experience “their best moment.”

Going back to history, Alexia Putellas already wore the number 11 and played over 70 games for the Kule first team. The first Ballon d’Or winner in the history of Spanish women’s football played all 90 minutes. The second Ballon d’Or in the history of Spanish women’s football took the field at half-time. With number 16 on the back. For the first time in an official match (according to the official protocols of the club), Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati met on the football field. Both are like strikers, football stuff.

Because the first (unofficial), although little or nothing is known about it, could have taken place on August 20, 2015: Aitana Bonmati’s debut in the main lineup. “A match with the first team against a good Montpellier in the French league, with the final score 1:1. I’m happy that I can play a few minutes and gain new experience. We continue pre-season training,” she posted on Instagram. . In the photo illustrating the text, both teams are posing together, and thanks to the quality of the photo, you can feel Alexia Putellas in the center of the image.

They left behind their grayest moments

Anyway, after this image it began to rain heavily. With little fanfare, Alexia and Aitana grew up in the heat of the Blaugrana until they became two of the best players in the world.

The context is appropriate because there has been a lot of talk about their relationship throughout this time. Even one that has become a taboo topic in the world of women’s football. There was almost no talking about each other, congratulations on individual achievements (countless) or memorable moments together. Until now.

(And it’s also true that, as those who know them say, “we live in a time where if they don’t upload a photo of them having dinner together, it means they don’t get along”).

Two days after world football’s preeminent sarao, the Ballon d’Or gala, the image of Alexia Putellas sitting in the stalls of the Châtelet theater in Paris admiring Aitana Bonmati as she walks up to the stage to collect her second Ballon d’Or still floods the audience . Timeline of X – today’s old Twitter – of his most ardent followers.

The picture speaks for itself and continues to fuel the theory: the relationship between the two best players in the world, winners of the last four Ballon d’Or awards, is at its best. Because the image is not random.

“This is their best moment since they were at Barca”Sources familiar with their personal and sporting relationship agree with this. On February 4, Alexia turned 30 years old, and on January 18, Aitana turned 26 years old. Over time, both seem to have left their grayest moments behind and come together for the common good. And separately: together they are better. Moreover, both Alexia and Aitana gain personal and athletic maturity, allowing themselves to move forward.

A thought reflected in Barça’s latest Champions League defeat to Manchester City. After the first goal of the English team, both are looking for each other, sharing their impressions and thinking about how to unblock the situation.

A collection of examples: a missed penalty at the Olympic Games, a goal celebration in San Mamés…

There is a collection of examples. In one of the few public statements (it occurred on the English program Sports Golazo on CBS earlier this year) known from Alexia Putellas about Aitan Bonmati, two-time Ballon d’Or winner and captain of Barça and the national team, she admitted: “She is very good player. The intensity of his play, how clearly he sees the passes in play and his understanding of them is exceptional. She’s an unbelievable player, the work rate and the intensity she puts into it.” Molle del Valles chose her to be his ideal eleven.

A few months ago, Aitana Bonmati was the first to hug Alexia Putellas – they were both running like crazy – after scoring one of the most iconic goals of her career – 2-0 against Lyon in the Champions League final. A few weeks later, the last of them experienced one of the most bitter moments of her career: He missed the penalty, which would have meant a draw with the Spaniards. against Germany in the fight for the bronze medal at Paris 2024. And again, but under different circumstances, Aitana appeared. She was the first to console her teammate in the national team and at Barça.

Moreover, two years ago, two days before the start of the European Championship, Alexia tore the anterior cruciate ligament of her left knee. In Spain’s tournament debut against Finland, Aitana scored the second goal of the match (a comeback goal) and ran to dedicate it to Alexia, who was watching the match on crutches in the stands.