Aitana Bonmatí Rejoins Spain Squad After Being Hospitalized With Viral Meningitis
The Spanish Football Federation showed photos of Bonmatí arriving in Switzerland and meeting with coach Montse Tomé. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner was hospitalized after falling ill with a fever late Friday, putting her participation in the tournament in doubt. Despite her return, it remained unclear when or if Bonmatí would be fit to play. Spain's first game is against Portugal on Thursday in Bern. It will also face Belgium and Italy in Group B at Euro 2025.
Spain won the 2023 World Cup for its first major women's trophy. It also won the inaugural 2024 Women's Nations League. It has never won the European Championship.
The 27-year-old Bonmatí has won the top individual award for women's soccer for the past two years. The Barcelona player was key to Spain winning the 2023 Women's World Cup.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
3 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Sundhage Anticipates 'Fantastic Future' for Women's Soccer in Switzerland on Eve of Euro 2025
Switzerland coach Pia Sundhage says the country has a fantastic future in women's soccer thanks to several young players hoping to make their mark at the European Championship. The 18-year-old Barcelona forward Sydney Schertenleib is arguably the best known, but there are others as well. Fellow forward Iman Beney was signed by Manchester City last month, and midfielder Noemi Ivelj's performances for Zurich Grasshoppers prompted Eintracht Frankfurt to sign her for the Bundesliga. Both players are only 18. Forward Leila Wandeler, 19, was a surprise call-up by Sundhage after making her breakthrough at Lyon last season. 'Switzerland has a fantastic future,' Sundhage said Tuesday on the eve of the team's Euro 2025 opener against Norway. 'If you look at those players…the future is really great. Now we're just in the mix, so the younger players probably lean a little bit to the experienced players. Both the young players and the most experienced players are important to make that winning mix sauce.' Swedish coach Sundhage, now 65, can herself draw on a wealth of experience to get the best from both sets of players as Switzerland looks for just its second tournament win. Switzerland defeated Iceland 2–1 at Euro 2017 and otherwise drew two games and lost three in its previous appearances. Asked why, after successful stints in charge of the US and Sweden, she decided to take charge of a smaller team when she took the Switzerland job last year, Sundhage replied it was because of the thrill of preparing the team for Euro 2025. 'Playing the European Championship is something special,' she said. 'It's so much more than a football game. Because everything we've done and the federation have done up to now, using fantastic role models, it's a part of the women's football. And we haven't even played a game yet.'
Al Arabiya
3 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Real Madrid Star Kylian Mbappé Arrives With Team Ahead Of Club World Cup Match Against Juventus
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé was seen on the bench ahead of his team's Club World Cup match against Juventus on Tuesday, clearing the way for the French star to make his tournament debut in the round of 16 after missing the first three games with an illness. Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said Monday it is possible Mbappé could play in his first Club World Cup game, and he arrived with the team several hours before the match was set to begin at Hard Rock Stadium. Mbappé had a gastrointestinal illness before Real Madrid's opening Club World Cup match and was treated at a hospital. He sat out all three group matches as Madrid won two and drew the other. His return would bring star power to a tournament that took a hit when Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were eliminated in the round of 16 by Mbappé's and Messi's former club Paris Saint-Germain. Mbappé is finally ready to play.
Arab News
7 hours ago
- Arab News
Monaco sign former teen prodigy Fati on season's loan from Barcelona
MONACO: Monaco signed Ansu Fati on a season-long loan from Barcelona on Tuesday, offering the former teen prodigy another chance to resurrect his career. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Monaco said the loan deal for the 22-year-old forward includes an option to buy at the end of the season. Fati burst onto the scene with Barcelona in 2019-20 season. At the age of 16 years and 304 days in August 2019, he became the club's youngest scorer in the Spanish league. Nearly four months later, at the age of 17 years and 40 days, he became the youngest goalscorer in Champions League history. Fati would set other records — he previously held the record as Spain's youngest ever scorer — with his reputation growing as a quick and tricky right winger with an eye for goal. He was predicted to become a world superstar in much the same way as 17-year-old Lamine Yamal is now with Barcelona and Spain. Like Yamal, he also had great versatility, offering him the possibility to operate as a second striker or by dropping deep in the 'false nine' role. But the Guinea-Bissau born forward then experienced a series of injuries which impacted his confidence and form. He played only a handful of games for Barcelona in the past two seasons and spent part of the 2023-24 season on loan to Premier League club Brighton, scoring four goals in 27 games. Fati netted 29 goals in 123 games overall for Barcelona and scored twice for Spain in 10 matches. He appeared fleetingly at the 2022 World Cup and has not played for the national team since 2023. Fati's arrival follows the signing of former France midfielder Paul Pogba on a two-year deal and strengthens coach Adi Hütter's attack. Pogba and Fati should add more versatility and extra firepower to an attack containing the prolific Mika Biereth and skilful US forward Folarin Balogun.
