Aitana Bonmati: A Saga of Mental Strength and Resilience in Women’s Football

Where did this girl come from, where did she come from? Around Catalonia, those incredulous words were heard every time Aitana Bonmati took to the pitch.

In the early 2000s – an era when football pitches were often not seen as a place for girls – she defied stereotypes and scepticism from the beginning. Oscar Gamez was her first coach, guiding her as a seven-year-old girl in a CD Ribes boys’ team. He vividly recalls the post-match scenes when parents from opposing teams would approach him in disbelief.

“She was like a tsunami,” Gamez told us. “On the pitch, she was a force of nature. It was a sensation to see her play.”

The Only Girl Among Boys

Bonmati wasn’t just the only girl on her team; she was the only girl playing for CD Ribes as a whole. One club with hundreds of boys and one determined young girl.

“We know how boys can be, and at that time they discriminated against her for being the only girl,” Gamez said. “But I never had to mediate. Aitana had a very strong character and didn’t let anyone trample over her.”

Playing on rough pitches didn’t deter Bonmati; she threw herself into tackles without complaint or hesitation.

Small-town scepticism quickly turned to awe as Bonmati showcased her mental strength and intensity. Her journey transcends generations, emerging from the dirt and grit of Ribes’ proving grounds to reach the pinnacle of women’s football.

A Name That Defines

Bonmati’s resilience can be traced back even before her birth. In 1998, Aitana’s mother Rosa faced a dilemma when registering her daughter’s name.

Spanish tradition dictated that Aitana should bear the surname of Rosa’s father, Vincent Conca. However, Rosa resisted this convention with full support from Vincent himself.

When bureaucracy denied their request to place “Bonmati” before “Conca,” Rosa took a bold stand. She registered herself as a single mother, omitting Vincent’s details entirely from the form and giving Aitana only one surname – an early example of standing up for what she believed in.

Rosa refused to let the issue rest there; she collaborated with politician Imma Mayol and legal experts to propose a change in legislation allowing parents to choose their children’s surnames in any order.

The law was eventually passed at the end of 1999, just months before Aitana celebrated her second birthday. Vincent’s name was added but came after Rosa’s on official documents – finally establishing Aitana as who she had always been intended: Aitana Bonmati Conca.

Committed Causes

Vincent shares his wife’s commitment to fighting for causes he believes in beyond family rights; he is also involved with political movements advocating for Catalonia’s independence alongside other regions.

The blend of impulsiveness from Rosa and thoughtful composure from Vincent has undoubtedly shaped Aitana’s character, fueling her drive and determination both on and off the pitch.

The story of Aitana Bonmati is not just about a girl who played football; it is a saga of mental strength, resilience, and breaking barriers. Her journey from being the only girl in a boys’ club to becoming an icon in women’s football serves as an inspiration to all – showing that dreams can be achieved with unwavering determination and belief in oneself.