Euro 2025: Spain star Aitana Bonmatí says she's mentally stronger after stay in hospital
Bonmatí said Thursday she is '100% physically' on the eve of a quarterfinal game against host Switzerland that will be exactly three weeks since she was hospitalized with viral meningitis.
'I think this new Aitana is even stronger mentally with the same ambitions,' the two-time defending Ballon d'Or winner said in translated comments. 'I reminded myself who I am.
'I feel very well, you can see from my face I glad to be here,' Bonmatí added, though she acknowledged she had learned because 'I am not used to managing these kinds of situations.'
Bonmatí was treated in a Madrid hospital before traveling to Switzerland one day later than the rest of the world champion and tournament favorite's squad.
'I was frustrated, I suffered I must admit. It was five days before the start of the tournament,' she said at the pregame news conference at the stadium in Bern.
'What happened was unexpected. I felt super well, physically I was perfect,' she said. 'But I never thought I wouldn't be here. I thought I may miss some games.'
Bonmatí even was well enough to enter from the bench on the second day of Euro 2025, in the 81st minute of Spain's 5-0 win over Portugal. She came on for the second half of the 6-2 win against Belgium, when the score was 2-1.
She played the full game in a 3-1 win over Italy ensuring Spain finished top of its group. The team tied the tournament record of scoring 14 goals in the opening phase.
'I am happy because the team was super good,' Bonmatí said. 'We played an excellent tournament and now the best part is coming.'
Spain faces the host nation in the quarterfinals, as at Euro 2022 in England losing 2-1 after extra time to the eventual title holder.
Thursdays
Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.
Spain also met Switzerland in the first knockout round at the 2023 World Cup and Bonmatí scored twice in a 5-1 win in the round of 16.
Spain coach Montse Tomé has a full and fearsomely talented squad to pick from with a little uncertainty over the goalkeeper position.
Adriana Nanclares of Athletic Bilbao has been a surprise choice ahead of Barcelona's Cata Coll, and Tomé said the players did not know yet who she wants to start the game.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Carlos Rodriguez pulls out of Tour de France with fractured pelvis
VIF, France (AP) — Ineos-Grenadiers rider Carlos Rodriguez has pulled out of the Tour de France with a fractured pelvis ahead of Thursday's monster Alpine stage to the ski resort of Courchevel. Rodriguez crashed on Wednesday and hospital scans confirmed the fracture, his team said in a statement a few hours before the start of Stage 18. 'Carlos is in good spirits and remains under the close supervision of our medical team,' Ineos-Grenadiers said. 'He will now return home to focus on recovery and the rehabilitation process.' The Spanish rider was 10th overall in the general classification, more than 20 minutes behind race leader and three-time Tour champion Tadej Pogačar. The three-week race finishes on Sunday in Paris. Tour de France riders will tackle three extremely difficult ascents during Stage 18, including the 26.4-kilometer (16.5-mile) daunting climb of the Col de La Loze up to the finish. At 2,304 meters of altitude, La Loze is the highest summit in this year's Tour. Two years ago, Jonas Vingegaard dropped Pogačar there on his way to his second Tour title. Vingegaard has been second best to Pogačar this year, lagging four minutes and 15 seconds behind his rival overall. ___ More Tour de France coverage:
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Stefanos Tsitsipas parts ways with tennis coach Goran Ivanisevic after brief stint
ATHENS (AP) — Stefanos Tsitsipas has parted ways with coach Goran Ivanisevic after a brief stint together, the former third-ranked player said. 'Working with Goran Ivanisevic was brief but an intense experience and a truly valuable chapter in my journey,' the Greek star Tsitsipas wrote in a statement posted on Instagram. 'I'm thankful for the time, effort and energy he dedicated to me and my team.' Tsitsipas, a two-time Grand Slam finalist who fell out of the top 20 in June, started working with 2001 Wimbledon champion Ivanisevic after his second-round loss at the French Open in late May. Ivanisevic coached the 26-year-old Greek player at Halle and Wimbledon, where he retired due to a back injury during his opening match, trailing by two sets to love against Frenchman Valentin Royer. 'As we are now following our separate ways, I have only respect for Goran — not just for what he's achieved in tennis, but also for who he is as a person,' Tsitsipas said. 'I wish him nothing but the very best moving forward.' Tsitsipas is next scheduled to play in Toronto from Sunday. ___ More AP tennis:
Canada News.Net
3 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
MLS All-Stars, minus Lionel Messi, defeat Liga MX All-Stars
(Photo credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images) Major League Soccer joint leading scorer Sam Surridge of Nashville SC scored in the first half to help the MLS All-Stars to a 3-1 victory over their Liga MX foes despite the absence of Lionel Messi in the All-Star Game on Wednesday night in Austin, Texas. The Philadelphia Union's Tai Baribo added the eventual winner early in the second half, and the Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White provided late insurance for MLS, which won for the third time in four All-Star Games played in this format since 2021. Tijuana's 16-year-old Gilberto Mora pulled a goal back later in the second half for Liga MX and became the youngest goal-scorer in the event's history. Earlier this month, he became the youngest player ever to win a senior continental international title as part of Mexico's CONCACAF Gold Cup championship squad. Surridge and Inter Miami's Messi each have 18 league goals. It was uncertain all week whether Messi would play on Wednesday, but the 38-year-old, eight-time Ballon d'Or winner did not appear. His Miami teammate, Jordi Alba, also missed the exhibition. Per MLS rules, Messi and Alba would face a one-game suspension for skipping the All-Star Game, which would see them miss a home match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday. However, MLS commissioner Don Garber said Wednesday that no decision on suspensions had been made. Surridge opened the scoring in the 28th minute on a chance created by Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga, who beat the Liga MX defense with his pace but saw his initial effort denied by Club America goalkeeper Luis Malagon. Bouanga reached the rebound, then bent in a diagonal cross toward the 6-yard box, where Surridge met it with a downward header that beat Malagon. Baribo, who has 14 regular-season goals this year, four behind Messi and Surridge in the MLS Golden Boot race, doubled the advantage in the 51st minute. He reached a cross from the left by Columbus' Diego Rossi and beat Cruz Azul goalie Kevin Mier from about 15 yards out. Mora pulled a goal back in the 64th minute, but White made sure of the MLS win in the 80th minute. The New England Revolution's Carles Gil was exceptional in setting up the attack for the final goal, maneuvering out of traffic at midfield before playing in the San Jose Earthquakes' Cristian Espinoza down the left. The Chicago Fire's Philip Zinckernagel provided the final pass for White's tap-in from close range.
