Aitana Bonmati, the 2023 female Ballon d’Or recipient, has revealed that her favorite male footballers include Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, and Lionel Messi.
Bonmati shared her admiration for these players while expressing her deep respect for Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, whom she considers her idol.
The Barcelona midfielder made these statements during a Monday night event in Paris where she received this year’s Ballon d’Or award.
During the event, the 25-year-old was told by Chelsea legend Didier Drogba that Guardiola described her as the female equivalent of Iniesta.
Bonmati replied, “I don’t have any words (laughs). I always say I am very proud to have been born on the same day as Pep Guardiola, January 18.
“He is an Idol to me. I didn’t see him play, but I did get to experience the glorious era he gave us at Barcelona with Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and Messi.
“Those years were some of the happiest of my life. To have someone like Guardiola praise you and even compare you to Iniesta, who is my favourite player alongside Xavi Hernadez and Messi, is unique.”
