May 27 – UEFA has crowned Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí as the 2024/25 UEFA Women’s Champions League Player of the Season, recognising the midfielder’s consistent brilliance despite her side falling short in their bid for a third successive European crown. The award, decided by UEFA’s Technical Observer Group, marks Bonmatí’s third consecutive win — a reflection of her dominance at the elite level of the women’s game.
Bonmatí’s Barcelona lost 1-0 to Arsenal in the final in Lisbon, but the 27-year-old was again central to her team’s European campaign. She registered five assists — joint-most in the competition — and added four goals, for nine total goal contributions. She also secured Goal of the Season honours for a stunning solo effort against Chelsea in the semi-finals, capping another standout year at continental level.
While Barcelona’s reign as European champions ended in Lisbon, Arsenal’s resurgence has taken centre stage. The Gunners had five players named in UEFA’s official Team of the Season following their title-winning run — goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, defenders Leah Williamson and Emily Fox, midfielder Mariona Caldentey, and forward Alessia Russo.
UEFA also named Lyon forward Melchie Dumornay as the Young Player of the Season for the second consecutive year. The 21-year-old Haitian international was a standout performer in Lyon’s run to the semi-finals, netting six goals and adding two assists. Her brace across two legs against Arsenal in the semi finals underlined her growing reputation as one of the most exciting attacking players in the women’s game.
Barcelona also had strong representation in the Team of the Season alongside Bonmatí, with María León, Patri Guijarro, and top scorer Clàudia Pina — who also featured in UEFA’s Top 10 Goals of the Season list — all recognised. Chelsea’s Sandy Baltimore and Dumornay completed the XI.
UEFA Women’s Champions League Team of the Season 2024/25
Selected by UEFA Technical Observer Group
Goalkeeper:
Daphne van Domselaar (Arsenal)
Defenders:
Emily Fox (Arsenal)
Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
María León (Barcelona)
Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea)
Midfielders:
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona)
Patri Guijarro (Barcelona)
Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)
Forwards:
Melchie Dumornay (Lyon)
Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Clàudia Pina (Barcelona)
The honours reinforce UEFA’s growing emphasis on individual excellence and team-wide influence in its blue-riband women’s club competition. With Bonmatí continuing to set the benchmark for midfield mastery, and Arsenal emerging as a revitalised force in European football, the 2024/25 campaign has signalled both continuity and change at the summit of the women’s game.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1748464895labto1748464895ofdlr1748464895owedi1748464895sni@g1748464895niwe.1748464895yrrah1748464895