Michael Cox, Laia Cervello Herrero and Sophie Penney bring you the inside story of Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati, from growing up in Catalonia to winning the World Cup and Champions League trophies and player of the tournament awards in the same year.
What’s Bonmati like as a person? What made her so good this year? And will she still lead Barcelona and Spain now that two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas is back? 
Plus Raphael Honigstein joins us to explain why Germany’s manager has been absent since their World Cup disaster, and what dentistry has to do with all of this.
Produced by Sophie Penney 
Executive Producer: Abi Paterson
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How did Bonmati become a Ballon d’Or winner?

Join The Athletic's finest reporters and writers as they take you inside the biggest stories from European women's football, including the WSL, UEFA Women's Champion's League, and Spain's Liga F. Get in touch fte@theathletic.com

Sports

Football

Soccer

Charlotte Harpur and Carl Anka join Sophie Penney after Manchester United beat Tottenham in the FA Cup final at Wembley to win their first major trophy. 
Ella Toone and Bethany England react to the result and the wonder goal. And is this a turning point for Manchester United after a difficult season? Mary Earps’ contract runs out this summer, after all. 
Plus David Ornstein joins us to reveal why this moment was extra special for Nikita Parris. 
And Art de Roche comes on to discuss why Arsenal let the WSL all-time top scorer Vivanne Miedema go.
HOST: Sophie Penney 
WITH: Charlotte Harpur, Carl Anka, David Ornstein and Art de Roche 
PRODUCER: Sophie Penney 
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Iain Macintosh
Get in touch: fte@theathletic.com 
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Is winning the FA Cup a turning point for Man United?

Sophie Penney is with Katie Whyatt and Jessy Parker Humphreys to discuss a whirlwind week for the WSL title race. 
Chelsea thought they were out of contention after losing to Liverpool but leaders Manchester City lost to Arsenal in stoppage time and Chelsea scored 8 past Bristol City, meaning it will go down to the last day of the season. 
How did City concede two goals in three minutes? Will that lose them the title? And was Emma Hayes playing mind games in her post-match comments?
Plus, as Barcelona win the Liga F title, Laia Cervello Herrero tells us how they’ve built one of the best teams in Europe despite no domestic competition and how far off second place Real Madrid are from the Catalans.  
HOST: Sophie Penney 
WITH: Katie Whyatt, Jessy Parker Humphreys, Laia Cervello Herrero 
PRODUCER: Sophie Penney 
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Iain Macintosh
Get in touch: fte@theathletic.com 
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Will Man City's slip up cost them the title?

Sophie Penney brings you inside Stamford Bridge after Barcelona defeat Chelsea to reach the Champions League final and end Emma Hayes’ dreams of a fairytale ending in front of a sell-out crowd. 

You’ll hear from Chelsea’s Jess Carter and Fran Kirby, and Barcelona’s Ona Batlle, plus a full analysis of tactics and what this means for Hayes’ legacy from The Athletic’s Charlotte Harpur, Michael Cox and Katie Whyatt, and Spanish journalist Marc Andres. 

HOST: Sophie Penney 
WITH: Charlotte Harpur, Michael Cox, Katie Whyatt and Marc Andres 
PRODUCER: Sophie Penney 
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Abi Paterson
Get in touch: fte@theathletic.com
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SPECIAL from Stamford Bridge: Barcelona end Chelsea and Hayes' Champions League dreams

Charlotte Harpur and Laia Cervello Herrero join Sophie Penney after Chelsea beat Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final first leg - the Catalan side’s first loss at home in over five years.
How did Chelsea pull off that defensive masterclass? What went wrong with Barcelona’s game plan? And can Chelsea do it again in the second leg? 
Plus we look at the state of the Spanish league after Aitana Bonmati said nothing has changed since their World Cup win.  
HOST: Sophie Penney 
WITH: Charlotte Harpur and Laia Cervello Herrero 
PRODUCER: Sophie Penney 
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Abi Paterson
Get in touch: fte@theathletic.com 
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Chelsea beat Barcelona - can they hold on?

Katie Whyatt, Carl Anka and Charlotte Hapur are with Sophie Penney to react to Manchester United knocking holders Chelsea out of the FA Cup to reach the final at Wembley, and Tottenham’s extra time winner to join them.
How did United start the game so fast? Is Emma Hayes’ final season unravelling? And what will Spurs do without Grace Clinton in the final? 
Plus, we chat to Anne Grimes and Helen Tither about the Corinthians Ladies Football Club, who won 50 trophies in over 20 years during the FA ban on women’s football. 
HOST: Sophie Penney 
WITH: Katie Whyatt, Carl Anka, Charlotte Harpur, Anne Grimes and Helen Tither 
PRODUCER: Sophie Penney 
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Abi Paterson
Get in touch: fte@theathletic.com 
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How did Bonmati become a Ballon d’Or winner?

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