Andres Iniesta responds to comparisons with Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati

Andres Iniesta says he's "proud" to have been compared to Women's Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati.

Bonmati picked up the award at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday night, marking the third consecutive year that the trophy has been won by a Spanish player, and said in her acceptance speech that she was "proud to win the Ballon d'Or" and that "football is a collective sport so I'd like to extend this prize to my team-mates and staff."

Barcelona teammate Alexia Putellas won the award in 2021 and 2022, but was ruled out of contention this time around after missing close to a year of action because of an anterior cruciate ligament tear. In Putellas' absence, Bonmati picked up the mantle for both club and country, scoring 19 goals for Barcelona as they won the Women's Champions League and Liga F titles.

The 25-year-old's performances have earned widespread praise across the footballing fraternity, with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola saying of Bonmati: "Aitana Bonmati is a football player who has me completely in love with her for the way she plays.

"I would say she is like the women's Iniesta playing for Barcelona. The current Barcelona team has made an incredible impact on the women's team in football."

Iniesta is widely regarded as one of the best footballers the men's game has seen during the 21st century. The diminutive attacking midfielder was a key member of the Barcelona and Spain sides which dominated European football between 2008 and 2015, winning four Champions Leagues, two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup - a trophy won thanks to an extra-time winning goal from Iniesta.

In a reply published by El Pais, Iniesta responded to the comparisons with Bonmati by saying: “I am proud that Guardiola compares me to the best player in the world today.

"What I would highlight most is her evolution: she has gone from being a good team player to having an increasingly important role to the point of leading the national team and Barca alongside Alexia Putellas and other great players."

Bonmati's performances at the World Cup were particularly impressive, taking home the Golden Ball at the end of the competition after helping Spain beat England in the final for their first ever triumph in the competition.

READ MORE ON THE 2023 BALLON D'OR WINNERS