Aitana: “I don’t compare myself to Messi, he comes from another planet”

Aitana Bonmati (Sant Pere de Ribes, Barcelona, ​​1998) will direct Spain in the final of Country ante Germany as he did against this same team in the semi-final of the European Cup. With his goal, he made history forever against the European giant. The Blaugrana, the only player with three Golden Ball, applies to everything.

Aïtana, how are you? Once again with the national team and in a new final…

This seems normal, but we are in another finale. This cannot be normalized. I am very grateful for what is happening to me and what we have to go through. We have reached the final in every championship we have played. The path is not easy, you have to appreciate it. We win or we lose, but that’s not all, because it takes a lot to get there.

What is the spirit of Aitana and of this Spain in the face of this new challenge.

It’s clear: since we are here, we must do everything we can and win. We want these Nations. It’s true that it’s a strange final, because it is played in two games. This is why the idea is to present each of them as if they were unique. If you speculate, it can cost you.

“We’ve only beaten them once in history. In the European Cup… and how was that!”

the father

Germany is Europe’s rival, the superpower. Are you still considered a giant?

Yes of course. It’s a rival who motivates us. We’ve only beaten him once in history. At the Euro Cup… and how it went! That says a lot about this selection. We must not forget how much it cost us to win them. It wasn’t an easy match at all, he has an impressive level.

You won thanks to this fantastic goal that you invented… a very great goal.

In football, there are many moments that you don’t have time to think about. It was one. It was one of my intuitions, to let the ball go under my legs and make a quick turn. It is true that the study I did on the rival was decisive here. The staff helps you, tells you the strengths and weaknesses of each rival. We talked about the steps their goalkeeper took in surface situations. I remember a conversation with the goalkeeping coach who warned me that Berger was not covering the near post well, that he was taking one step too many. Although it may seem like a lie, I didn’t think about it and shot. I kept this information and saw it.

Do you think a great job was done at the European Cup?

Yes, actually, we didn’t lose a single match during the entire tournament. England’s was not lost in terms of play, it was because of the penalties. That says a lot. It’s true that in the final we could have been better, and on penalties we didn’t succeed at all. It’s hard, because after spending about a month fighting… losing is hard, but we have to value the Euro that we won.

They left sunk, there was no consolation on the grass of Basel… How do you recover from a drink like that?

I had family members in the stands, my representatives. At the hotel we were all together, everyone tried to help each other.

It takes days, weeks, to heal these wounds…

It costs less and less. I think it would be prolonging the suffering for something that we can no longer change. You have to accept it and come back. In my case, I accepted it quite quickly. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. You either let the pain consume you or you accept it.

A new era has arrived in the national team. New coach, new staff, new teammates. How is the team?

We are very good, we are happy to join the national team. It’s something that is appreciated. We are very good with the staff, there is a very good atmosphere.

What is Sonia Bermudez like?

He is a very close person. I didn’t know her, I hadn’t met her as a player when she was at Barça. When I arrived, she was gone. Iraia and Sonia are close, we have individual meetings to discuss and focus on each. He asks me to receive the ball in the latter parts of the field, closer to the goal.

“Mapi needed his time, he’s completely respectable. I had a really bad time and I’m sure everyone at home did too”

the father

Sonia’s arrival led to Mapi’s return, I don’t know if she ever told him… How did they know?

He didn’t say it in a concrete way, it took him a while, it’s completely respectable. We each need our own time. Personally, I’m happy to have been able to leave all these bad times behind me. I had a really bad time and I’m sure everyone at home did too. It’s good that all this remains behind.

There are already world champions triumphing in every league in the world. Jenni in Mexico, Esther in the USA… Do you follow them?

I’m discovering it, because the media already touches everyone, but on a daily basis I can’t follow them, they are very different schedules. It’s difficult because with what we have here… at the moment I’m participating in four competitions at the same time (laughs).

Is Barça everything for you?

What do you mean by everything? What if I look further? At the moment I have a contract with Barcelona, ​​I’ve been there for 14 years and it’s a club that I love, that I feel. But I’m not closing the door on anything. It all depends on how you feel personally, emotionally and motivationally. Never say never. I have a contract and my intention is not to leave.

Joan Laporta helps them feel loved, at home…

Yes, the previous and current guidelines have opted for us. I also think we gave a lot to the club, especially when the club was bad. The feminine was an important part of the project in terms of image. We were a very winning team, we filled the stadiums, it’s win-win, the club gave to us and we gave it back. It’s very pretty. I just hope it doesn’t stop there, that all the work we’ve done together continues to move forward. The other teams are not stopping and their bets are firm. More and more. This year we may have a smaller squad, which ends up weighing us down, or it’s already weighing us down… we are the team that plays the most matches in the world. Playing with such a short team can have detrimental consequences. There is no margin. We must not forget that to compete for everything, we need more staff.

Coming back to Camp Nou will be another challenge…

Yes, the club has already told us that their intention is to play and we believe it will be a Champions League match. I hope it will be in the new year, it’s been a long time since we’ve been there.

“The Ballon d’Or doesn’t change me. I’m still the same, with the same personality. With the same things that make me happy”

the father

You have the third Ballon d’Or at home, are you going for Messi?

No no. I don’t compare myself to Messi, he comes from another planet. I continue on my way. The Ballon d’Or doesn’t change me. I’m still the same, with the same personality. With the same things that make me happy and with the people who make me feel like myself. Nothing changes me, I find it very positive.

What are these gala moments like, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, sitting next to colleagues who are competing for the same prize?

This year, if I’m honest, I went in with very low expectations. My philosophy is that the more expectations you create, the harder it can be if you don’t win. It was a surprise. You look around and see the great level that is there. I understand that everyone experiences it in their own way. It’s a very special day, alongside the best in football. I think the most important thing is to enjoy it. Live it with your people.

Did you say anything to Mariona? This is ultimately the one with whom he was fighting for the Ballon d’Or…

There was a point where they told us to leave, and we didn’t know who won yet. We were lucky, none of us knew anything. Afterwards we didn’t see each other anymore, and anyone could win…

Can you switch off from football?

With my people yes and trying not to talk about football. This is something I tell them all the time. Ultimately, for me, football is a profession and not a hobby like many people think. When I meet my colleagues, I try to discuss other subjects that are not football. And if I’m alone, I like to do DIY, ceramics, painting, I have several paintings at home. I like to travel, even if I don’t have time, but to immerse myself in other cultures, other worlds, to immerse myself in them.

Do you dream of football matches?

Before important matches, certainly yes. But I try not to think about football all day, so that it doesn’t become an obsession. I wouldn’t like that.

What do we ask of life?

Be happy. Yes, but life is not linear, like everything. All that glitters is not gold.

Personal test with Aitana Bonmati

Is it meat or fish?

I don’t eat meat, no meat in my diet.

What is your favorite dish?

Pasta al Cacio e pepe (this is a typical pasta dish from the Italian region of Lazio. It contains grated Roman pecorino and black pepper, accompanied by tonnarelli or spaghetti).

forbidden food

This one is easy…the meat

Is it more about getting up early or going to bed late?

Get up early, always.

What do you choose, beach or mountain?

Mountain

Is it summer or winter?

Summer, of course.

Between a series or a book, why choose?

Always reserve.

Which roommate would you share an apartment with?

Alba Redondo or Martin Prieto.

I want more than what was given.

I’m not one of those things… I wouldn’t have anything to say.

Your favorite item of clothing, something you always carry in your suitcase…

a cowboy

Is it more about purchasing online or in a physical store?

Currently online.

A city to get lost in?

There are many, I love traveling, I do it less than I would like… but if I have to choose one, it’s Tokyo.

Where do you keep the Ballons d’Or?

At home, in a room that I don’t use. I never go in there, I have them on the floor still in the boxes.

What do you plan to do with them? Any ideas?

My dream is to found a museum in my city and to be able to share it with people.

Related news

Your opinions count! Comment on articles and subscribe for free to our newsletter and information alerts in the Application or the chain WhatsApp.

Looking to license content? click here