Three-time Ballon d'Or winner joins Gatorade's roster of top football talent as the brand continues to champion the preparation, consistency and sports science behind elite performance.
Key TakeawaysPURCHASE, N.Y., Aug. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- For decades, Gatorade has supported footballers at every level across the globe, from local pitches to the world's biggest stages. Ahead of the new football season and following in the footsteps of football greats like Vinícius Júnior, Julián Álvarez and Luis Díaz, the brand welcomes three-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí to Team Gatorade, bringing together one of the game's most accomplished players with a brand built on helping athletes prepare, perform and recover through science-based hydration.
As a Spain international and FC Barcelona midfielder, Bonmatí has established herself as one of football's defining players, driven by an unwavering commitment to improvement. While supporters see the trophies, the performances and the moments that define a career, her success has been built on the work that happens long before kick-off – the preparation, recovery, consistency and discipline required to compete at the highest level.The partnership forms part of Gatorade's global Is It In You? platform, which celebrates the work behind performance. Together, Bonmatí and Gatorade will shine a light on the daily habits that underpin elite sport, encouraging athletes to trust the preparation that allows them to perform when it matters most.Built on PreparationJoining Team Gatorade marks the next chapter in Bonmatí's career as she prepares for another season competing at the highest level of world football. Through the partnership, she will share the mindset, routines and habits that have helped her sustain success throughout her career, alongside the role science-based hydration plays in supporting training, recovery and matchday performance.The partnership will also create opportunities to highlight the importance of understanding the unique physiological needs of female athletes and the role sports science can play in helping athletes prepare for the demands of a long season."People remember the ninety minutes. They remember the trophies, the goals and the moments that define a career. What they don't always remember is everything that comes before them. Every training session. Every recovery session. Every choice you make to be ready for the next challenge. I call it invisible training and that is what has shaped me as a player. That is what has allowed me to keep improving. Joining Team Gatorade feels natural because we share the same belief – that there are no shortcuts. Only preparation. Only consistency. That is the story of my career." – Aitana Bonmatí, Gatorade athleteSupporting Performance Through Sports ScienceGatorade has helped athletes prepare for competition through the expertise of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI). Working alongside elite athletes and teams around the world, GSSI translates decades of hydration and performance research into practical insights that help athletes better understand their individual needs.
