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Spanish footballer Aitana Bonmati has been named among the Best FIFA Women’s Player Award 2023 finalists alongside Linda Caicedo and Jennifer Hermoso. The award recognises the outstanding performer in women’s football between 1 August 2022 to 20 August 2023, which is the date of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ final. The winner of the same will be declared in a ceremony on 15 January 2024 in London. A total of 16 players were initially nominated for the prestigious award, and the names were picked by a panel of experts.
Later, three finalists for the honour were picked by an international jury, which comprised of women’s national team coaches, women’s national team captains, football journalists, as well as fans who voted on FIFA’s official website. Bonmati, along with compatriot Jennifer Hermoso and Colombian footballer Linda Caicedo has been named as the finalist.
Notably, 25-year-old Bonmati is a Women’s World Cup Golden Ball, UEFA Women's Player of the Year award and Ballon d’Or winner. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola once described Aitana Bonmati’s game and said, “Aitana Bonmatí is a football player who has me completely in love with her for the way she plays. I would say she is like the women’s [Andrés] Iniesta playing for Barcelona.”
Spanish footballer and the 2023 world champion Jennifer Hermoso is another name who has made it to the top three. The 33-year-old is an all-time top scorer for Spain and earned the Silver Ball at the global finals. Talking of the Colombian footballer Linda Caicedo, the 18-year-old has played in three FIFA Women’s World Cups within a year and won awards at both the U-17 and senior finals. Not only this, but she has also won the Copa America Femenina Golden Ball.
