In addition to helping her club win the Spanish top flight and Champions League, the 25-year-old helped her country win the World Cup.

During August, she was also named Uefa’s player of the year.

Teammate Rachel Daly finished 10th, while England goalkeeper Mary Earps finished fifth.

There were also nominations for fellow Lionesses Millie Bright and Georgia Stanway.

Sam Kerr of Chelsea and Australia finished second, Salma Paralluelo of Barcelona and Spain finished third, and Fridolina Rolfo of Barcelona and Sweden finished fourth. Bonmati expressed his pride at winning the Ballon d’Or.

At the end of her speech in English, she added: “Finally, congratulations to the other nominees. They’re great players.” Football is a collective sport, so I would like to extend this award to my colleagues and staff.

As role models, we should be more than athletes and keep leading by example and fighting together for a more peaceful, equal and peaceful world.”

Despite Spain’s World Cup victory, the fallout from Luis Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso after the final overshadowed the victory.

Spain beat England in the final after Bonmati scored three goals in Australia and New Zealand.