Aitana Bonmati has revealed how time away from the pitch has allowed her to connect with FC Barcelona in ways she had never experienced before, as she edges closer to a return from injury.
Speaking to SPORT’s Maria Tikas at an exclusive Adidas event in Barcelona, the three-time Ballon d’Or winner opened up on how her rehabilitation period has taken her beyond her usual routine as a professional footballer.
“I’ve spent part of these two months [out injured] in Barcelona living with my uncles,” the midfielder explained.
“Since I’m not far from the centre, I’ve been able to go more often to the Palau Blaugrana and to the Camp Nou. I’ve really enjoyed that, going to watch the basketball team and the men’s football team.”
However, the experience stretched well beyond watching from the stands.
Bonmati described how sharing rehabilitation spaces brought her closer to athletes from other Barca sections, broadening her appreciation of the club’s multi-sport identity.
“During this time in the medical facilities, I’ve also crossed path with other athletes from the club, from Barca B men’s team, to basketball and Barca B women’s team, among others.
“It’s really cool to see that, beyond your own bubble, there are many other sports in the club. I’ve loved that part of the process.
“I’m grateful to have met other great athletes and professionals at the club, who you don’t usually see in your day-to-day life.”
Off the pitch, the enforced pause also sparked deeper personal reflection.
An avid reader, Bonmati highlighted The Midnight Library as a book that resonated strongly during her recovery, touching on themes of alternate paths and missed possibilities.
“At certain moments in your life you do wonder what would have happened if, for example, I’d had to leave for another team to get minutes during a tougher period when I wasn’t playing.
“I’ve thought about it many times. The book talks about that. I think life’s a collection of decisions you make every day, and that’s the path you build.
“I believe that all the decisions I’ve made, good or bad, have helped me become the player and the person I am today, so I’m grateful and wouldn’t change them for anything.”
The 28-year-old also admitted the break has given her space to process what she described as a “crazy” few years at the top of the game, offering a more nuanced view of success beyond trophies alone.
“It’s helped me to enjoy what I’ve achieved a little more, and above all, to value it more.
“I play in a team and for a national side that fight to win everything, and for me, success in a sporting and competitive contest is very hard not to associate with victory and winning titles.
“Obviously, success is linked to titles, given the team I play for. But I also think that success is having achieved everything we have done socially.
“It’s understanding and accepting that sport includes defeats and that even if you have as good of a season as we did last season, you can reach the Champions League final and the EUROs final and let two huge titles slip away because of small details.
“That’s genuinely what we play for now; it’s not just for enjoyment like we used to say years ago.
“Success is accepting those moments and understanding that other teams play too, and they play well.”
As Bonmati prepares to step back onto the pitch, her words reflect a player returning not only physically stronger, but with a renewed appreciation of her journey, her club, and the broader meaning of success.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
