Former Arsenal star Ian Wright has suggested that players like Mariona Caldentey deserved the 2025 Ballon d’Or ahead of Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati.
Recall that Bonmati won this year’s Ballon d’Or ahead of Arsenal player, Caldentey.
However, Wright is not pleased with the organizers of the Ballon d’Or, as he believes Caldentey should have won.
Speaking on the Overlap YouTube channel, Wright said, “I could not believe it. I don’t think anyone is disputing how great Bonmati is, but the season [Mariona] Caldentey had, not just because she is at Arsenal, even Alessia Russo winning the Champions League and the Euro.
“You know what was so embarrassing about it? I actually felt for Bonmati, she had the trophy, and they were showing videos of her losing the Champions League, losing the Euros. And you’ve got players like Caldentey, who won everything.
“She was Arsenal and WSL player of the year, the Champions League, all the way to the last stages of the Euros.
“Without the shadow of a doubt [the Ballon d’Or is a bit of an image-based award].”