Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí has expressed her concern about the “stagnation” of the F League and believes the league should show humility and take inspiration from the Women's Super League (WSL) to reach its potential.
Despite Spain's triumph at the 2023 World Cup, the league has struggled to develop, leading to several players moving to the WSL in England, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States and Liga MX in Mexico.
Bonmatí, considered by many to be the best female footballer in the world, has spent her entire career playing in Liga F. Despite Barcelona's success, she has expressed frustration at the league's insufficient support and infrastructure, which she believes is holding it back from becoming one of the best leagues in world football.
“Other leagues are overtaking us at an incredible speed, when we have the potential to be a top league, an example of a league,” said the 28-year-old. The athletic.
“We're stuck. We're not improving. The league doesn't even have a sponsor. What's the point in the league? Who's running it?
“We should be more humble and look at how the English leagues do things, and if those changes don't come then it's a sign that the people who run this league are not interested in moving forward.”
Two of Bonmatí's compatriots and former Barcelona teammates, Laia Codina and Mariona Caldentey, have moved to the WSL in the past 12 months, both choosing to play for Arsenal.
Codina signed for the north London side last season after Spain won the World Cup, while Caldentey left on a free transfer this summer and is set to make her WSL debut on Sunday against Manchester City.
Caldentey shared Bonmatí's reflection on the lack of development in the F League, where he spent a decade playing for Barça.
“The Spanish league is not going as we would like,” he told BBC 5 Live Sport.
“When England won the Euros, everyone could see a big change in the league and we missed out… [that] In Spain.
“We won the World Cup and nothing changed, so I think… [the WSL] “It's currently the best league to play in.”
Codina echoed the sentiments of his teammates, adding: “I really feel like nothing has changed in Spain.” [after winning the World Cup].
“Here you can see that everything is changing, everything is improving. Clubs are spending more money. Maybe that's why more Spanish players are coming here, because it's a challenge and an exciting place.
“Of course, the national team demands a lot. [about the WSL]They want to know what the situation is like and how things are going here. I hope we can bring more people here.”
Earlier this month, Bonmatí signed a new contract with the reigning Champions League champions, committing her future to the club until 2028. Reigning WSL champions Chelsea had expressed interest in the midfielder and were willing to pay her €3 million ($3.35 million) buyout clause, her agent Cristian Martin told Catalonia Radio.
A source told ESPN that her new contract will make her the highest-paid player in the world.
“My decision to stay is 100% for Barça as a club and if my decision was focused on the League instead of the club, then I would not have stayed, that is clear,” he said.
