Aitana Bonmatí has been named the world's best female footballer for the third year in a row, according to a ranking compiled by a panel of experts. The 26-year-old midfielder, who plays for Barcelona and the Spanish national team, received the most votes, narrowly beating her compatriot Mariona Caldentey and England’s Alessia Russo. This marks the first time a player has topped the list for three consecutive years. Bonmatí’s lead was smaller than in previous years, finishing 453 points ahead of Caldentey compared to a 568-point margin over Caroline Graham Hansen in 2024. She received 43% of the votes for the top spot, with Caldentey and Russo each securing 8%, and Alexia Putellas also getting 8%. Despite suffering a leg injury during training before the Nations League final, which will keep her out of action for over four months in 2026, Bonmatí has maintained her position at the top of women's football. She has faced competition from younger players emerging in the sport. The 2025 rankings also saw a notable increase in new names, with nearly a quarter of the players on the list being first-time entrants. Among them was Ghizlane Chebbak of Morocco, who made history as the first player from her country to enter the top 100, and Esther Okoronkwo from Canada’s new Northern Super League, representing AFC Toronto. The rankings highlighted strong regional representation, with England, Brazil, and Nigeria showing significant presence. England had the most players on the list, followed by Spain, the USA, and France. The Women’s Super League (WSL) in England had the highest number of players featured, with 39 representatives, outpacing the NWSL in the U.S. and Liga F in Spain. Marta, the 39-year-old Brazilian legend, was the oldest player on the list, while 18-year-old Signe Gaupset of Norway was the youngest, along with two other teenagers, showing the growing diversity in age and experience among top players. Bonmatí's third consecutive win underscores her continued dominance in women’s football, even as the sport evolves with new talent and regional growth. The rankings reflect both the established stars and the rising players shaping the future of the game.