Aitana Bonmatí signs a record-breaking contract with Barcelona

Barcelona has officially announced that Aitana Bonmatí, the recent Ballon d’Or winner, has signed a new four-year contract that secures her position at the club until 2028.

According to sources close to the situation, this agreement is set to make Bonmatí the highest-paid player in women’s football.

Her previous contract was set to run out at the end of the 2024-25 season, sparking interest from several top clubs across the globe.

Specifically, Bonmatí’s agent, Cristian Martín, revealed last week that Chelsea was prepared to trigger the €3 million ($3.3 million) release clause in her last contract.

Barcelona is demonstrating its ambition to remain a dominant force in women’s football, following the renewal of two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas with this significant new deal for Bonmatí.

While salaries in women’s football are not publicly disclosed, sources indicate that the top earners in leagues such as the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the Women’s Super League (WSL) receive annual salaries between €400,000 and €600,000.

In addition to Barça, Lyon is also known for offering competitive wages, with notable players like Putellas and Ada Hegerberg recently signing lucrative contracts with their clubs.

However, an ESPN source has confirmed that Bonmatí’s new deal with the back-to-back European champions significantly surpasses the current earnings in the sport.

With over 250 appearances for Barcelona’s first team, Bonmatí boasts an impressive record, including five league titles and three Champions League victories, among various other trophies.

On the international stage, she played a crucial role in helping Spain lift the Women’s World Cup and secure the UEFA Women’s Nations League title, culminating in her accolades of both the Ballon d’Or and The Best FIFA Women’s Player awards in 2023.