Win or learn. You never lose, reads the mural in Sant Pere de Ribes, Spain, a town of 30,000 inhabitants 25 miles from Barcelona. The image depicts local hero Aitana Bonmatí Conca, clutching a Ballon d’Or trophy in one arm and embracing a younger version of herself with the other.
The journey of the world’s best women’s player began here, just 670 miles from the site of what Bonmatí hopes will be her next career triumph. After winning nearly every trophy there is to win, the 27-year-old has her sights set on claiming Spain’s first UEFA women’s Euro title in Switzerland. (Bonmatí rejoined the Spanish team after being hospitalized with viral meningitis one week before the start of the tournament.)
