Aitana Bonmatí has said she believes the Barcelona connection in the Spanish national team has driven their success.
There are seven Barça players, including Bonmatí and two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, in Spain's 18-player squad that has reached the semi-finals of the Olympic Games.
“We have players who have known each other for a long time,” Bonmatí told ESPN ahead of Spain's semi-final against Brazil. “I'm talking about the Barça players, we understand football in the same way and that is reflected on the pitch. It's much easier, you know each other perfectly. You know their movements, their strengths and all that helps.”
Bonmatí and Spain are looking to cap off a fantastic period of success at the Paris Olympics. Spain, who claimed their first Women's World Cup title in August last year, lifted their first UEFA Women's Nations League title in February.
“This is the first time we have participated in the Olympic Games,” said Bonmatí. “When we started the tournament we had the highest ambition. We are a competitive team, a winning team. We arrived here having won the World Cup and the Nations League. Now we are one step away from the final. We want to go as far as possible.”
Bonmatí, 26, arrives at the Olympic Games after having won a historic quadruple title this season with Barça. Her team retained the Champions League and won the Women's League, the Queen's Cup and the Spanish Super Cup.
Bonmatí was named MVP of the Champions League final after scoring Barça's first goal in a 2-0 win over Lyon.
“I'm just focused on doing well collectively,” said the 2023 Ballon d'Or winner. “We've had a good season at Barça and as far as the national team is concerned, we're one step away from the final.”
Bonmatí, who has spent his entire career at Barça and will be a free agent next summer, has not ruled out an experience abroad.
Asked if she would consider playing in England or the United States, the midfielder said: “I can't tell you what's going to happen in the next few years. I live in the present. I leave the door open, I'm not one to say never. I'll see how I feel. Never say never.”
