England's post-Kane era finally looks far more rosy

Santos, Doak & eight best Premier League loanees of the season

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Saudi Arabia or MLS beckons for Pogba after Juve release

Why Man Utd & Liverpool both want Argentine teen Soler

'Please leave him alone!' - Deschamps sends out Mbappe plea

Mendes responds to Ronaldo criticism of Portugal players

Ronaldo stunner the cherry on top for five-star Portugal 

Where's Leo?! Messi invisible as Argentina upset by Paraguay

Amorim told he's already made his first mistake at Man Utd

How to watch Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson from anywhere

Vini's nightmare goes on as Brazil drop more WCQ points

Twellman reportedly investigated for physical altercation

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Bonmati named Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year</li><li>Follows huge success with Barca &amp; Spain in 2023</li><li>Midfielder is first footballer to win the award</li></ul>

Aitana Bonmati makes history! Barcelona star wins Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year as she's recognised for Ballon d'Or and World Cup success

Liga F

Real Madrid Femenino

Barcelona

Friendlies

France

Spain

No fewer than 69 sporting legends vote to decide the winner of the accolade and it was Bonmati who came out on top this week, presented with her prize in Madrid.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Bonmati won the league and Champions League with Barcelona last year <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/spain-queens-world-football-winners-losers-aitana-bonmati-england-lioneeses-lucy-bronze-world-cup-final/blt04b557c79149dd42" target="_blank">while also leading Spain to a first-ever Women's World Cup title</a>. The 26-year-old has had plenty individual recognition as a result, with this award to join others such as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/aitana-bonmati-ballon-dor-barcelona-spain-overdue-recognition/blta342d649853bcae4" target="_blank">the Ballon d'Or</a>, The Best FIFA Women's Player and the World Cup Golden Ball on her shelf.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

"I am honoured to receive the Laureus for Sportswoman of the Year – and I am also very happy that my international team-mates have been recognised as the Team of the Year by the Laureus World Sports Academy," Bonmati said."It is humbling to see the list of previous winners of this award. From Serena Williams to Simone Biles, Lindsey Vonn, Naomi Osaka and last year’s winner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, they are all incredible athletes who have not only excelled in their chosen sports, but been incredible role models for younger generations of young women and girls."To be the first footballer to win this award makes it even more special and I hope to represent my sport in the same way that those great champions have done."

WHAT BONMATI SAID

Bonmati was not the only football star honoured, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/jude-bellingham-wins-world-breakthrough-of-the-year-accolade-a-day-after-scoring-late-clasico-winner/blte0944d26e368a393" target="_blank">with England &amp; Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham named Laureus World Breakthrough of the Yea</a>r. Tennis icon Novak Djokovic won the big prize on the men's side though, claiming the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year accolade for a record-equaling fifth time.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Catalans are still on for a quadruple this season, having won the Supercopa de Espana earlier this year. They are well clear at the top of the Liga F table and in the Copa de la Reina final next month, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/emma-hayes-alexia-putellas-winners-losers-chelsea-women-barcelona-champions-league/blteda829798ebcef99" target="_blank">though they travel to London this weekend needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final with Chelsea</a>.

WHAT NEXT FOR BONMATI AND BARCELONA?

Aitana Bonmati makes history! Barcelona star wins Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year as she's recognised for Ballon d'Or and World Cup success | Goal.com

Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmati has made history as the first footballer to win the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award.

Aitana Bonmati makes history! Barcelona star wins Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year as she&apos;s recognised for Ballon d&apos;Or and World Cup success