MADRID – Aitana Bonmatí, the Spanish midfielder, was discharged from the hospital on Sunday and is anticipated to rejoin her team soon to participate in the upcoming Women’s European Championship. The Spanish football governing body made this announcement following her release. Bonmatí, who has twice won the prestigious Ballon d’Or, was admitted due to a fever she developed on Friday and later tested positive for meningitis.
The Spanish Football Federation issued a concise statement conveying, “Aitana Bonmatí, having been hospitalized for several days with viral meningitis, has now been discharged and will reunite with the Spanish national side in the next few days.” However, the federation did not delve into specifics regarding her health status.
Bonmatí was absent from Spain’s friendly match victory over Japan in Madrid on Friday and was initially not slated to travel with her teammates to Switzerland. Her exact travel plans remain uncertain. Spain’s first matchup, scheduled against Portugal, will take place on Thursday in Bern. The team is also set to face Belgium and Italy in Group B during their Euro 2025 campaign.
Should Bonmatí’s health not improve sufficiently, Coach Montse Tomé maintains a window to substitute her with another athlete prior to the commencement of the tournament. Spain, having secured their first significant women’s title with a World Cup victory in 2023, also clinched the initial edition of the Women’s Nations League in 2024. The team, however, has yet to win a European Championship.
The 27-year-old midfielder has been a critical component of Spain’s football success, notably contributing to the country’s 2023 Women’s World Cup triumph. Her exceptional vision on the field, coupled with her adept dribbling, precise passing, and goal-scoring capabilities, have been imperative for Barcelona’s achievement; the club has reached five successive Champions League finals, seizing victory in three.
In Bonmatí’s absence, fellow Barcelona team members Alexia Putellas, herself a two-time Ballon d’Or recipient, and midfielder Patricia Guijarro, will shoulder increased responsibility in leading Spain’s efforts in Switzerland. Just three years prior, Putellas suffered an ACL rupture three days ahead of the 2022 European Championship, which saw Spain exiting at the quarterfinal stage without their star player at the time.
However, Spain is expected to have the upper hand in their opening clash against Portugal. The team had previously defeated Portugal twice in April during Nations League play, including a commanding 7-1 triumph on home soil.