UEFA Women’s Champions League: Aitana Bonmatí returns to reach ‘crazy’ sixth consecutive final with FC Barcelona

After five months away from football as a result of injury, Aitana Bonmatí is finally back in action for FC Barcelona.

The three-time Ballon d’Or winner was a second-half substitute in her side’s 4-2 victory over Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Sunday (3 May), as they progressed to the final 5-3 on aggregate.

“It’s difficult to explain the feelings I have right now, there was no better day to come back,” she told Disney+ at full-time. “The last five months have been hard but also gratifying; a different challenge in my career. I think it has served me as both a footballer and as a person.”

Bonmatí missed the first leg of the semi-final tie, which ended 1-1 , and will no doubt be looking to make up for lost time by helping guide Barça to a fourth European title.

“I’m really happy for the team,” she added. “They have had a spectacular season and all that is left is to put the cherry on top of the cake. Six finals in a row is crazy – I think we have normalised something that is absolutely not normal.

“It says everything about the ambition and character of this team. Players and seasons come and go but we’re still here, keeping the bar high and always wanting to be in the Champions League final.”

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Awaiting the Spanish giants in the finale will be familiar foes in OL Lyonnes. It will be the fourth time these two sides have met at this stage of the competition, with the French team on the winning end twice before.

In their most recent encounter, however, it was Barça who clinched the 2023-24 title with a 2-0 victory.

There is an extra sense of rivalry this time around with Jonatan Giráldez – once at the helm for a supremely successful period in Barcelona’s history – in the opposing dugout.

“There is not much I can say about Lyonnes to be honest. They are Champions League history – they have a great side,” Bonmatí said.

“For me, they are always the team to beat and the team we looked to when we were nothing and wanted to reach their level, which we achieved, but they are still a top team as well.

“I am grateful to Jonatan for everything he did for me as a player, but now we are rivals. We are only thinking about beating Lyon and winning that trophy.”

The final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League will be held on Saturday 23 May in Oslo, Norway.

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