Nobody at Barça expected it, let alone President Laporta. The new winner of the Ballon d'Or Aitana Bonmatí has questioned her continuity at the culer team despite having recently renewed her contract until 2028. In statements to L'Équipe, she has highlighted the importance of the Liga F growing in order to continue growing in Spain.
"I would love the league to be more competitive, although I don't think that's an excuse to stop progressing individually and as a team," Aitana began by saying. In this sense, the Catalonian continued: "At Barça we have the feeling that things are moving forward, that they are betting on us. We keep performing, filling the stadiums."
Aitana Bonmatí hasn't stopped here alone, pointing out: "The problem is that when we look at the league it's the complete opposite. We have the feeling that we are stagnating. And we've spent years asking for changes that haven't come."
The two-time Ballon d'Or winner emphasized this: "In other countries (England), after the European Championship, there was a media boom that we haven't been able to take advantage of here. Hopefully we can change that."
Aitana Bonmatí Questions Her Continuity at Barça: "I Don't Know If..."
The worst came later. Speaking about her recent rejection on Chelsea, Aitana Bonmatí said: "My priority has always been Barça, that's why I renewed. I don't know if I'll be a one-club woman, I always try to focus on the present."
"I don't think I can project myself into the future five, six or seven years from now. I don't know what will happen, nobody knows," she admitted.
Aitana Bonmatí's "No" to 11 Million
Even though her new contract with FC Barcelona will be the biggest in the history of women's soccer, the reality is that Aitana Bonmatí has turned down a lot of money.
The information indicates that Chelsea, who were willing to immediately pay her 3-million euro-release clause, offered her 11 million euros. This figure would've been spread over a four-year contract. In other words, she would've pocketed 2.75 million euros a year in London.
This renewal is a turning point. Aitana will be the highest paid in history, representing a huge outlay for Barça, which can't afford to make an effort to retain Keira Walsh for more years.
Laporta knows that Keira Walsh wants to leave and will do so for free when her contract expires in 2025. She has rejected an offer of 1.1 million euros plus variables, putting the possibility of winning another Champions League above all else.