Spain's two-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati hospitalised before Euro 2025
Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati missed Spain's last friendly before Euro 2025 kicks off next week, having been taken to hospital after contracting viral meningitis
Spain star Aitana Bonmati is being treated in hospital after contracting viral meningitis less than a week before the start of Euro 2025. Bonmati, 27, missed Thursday's training session before she was taken to a hospital in Madrid on Friday.
The Barcelona midfielder was forced to miss Spain's final friendly before the tournament in Switzerland, as they beat Japan 3-1. The World Cup holders begin their campaign next Thursday, facing Portugal in Bern.
Bonmati, who's won the Ballon d'Or for the past two years, shared a picture of herself on Instagram, as she watched her team-mates beat Japan from her hospital bed with a cannula in her arm. Spain manager Montse Tome provided an update on Bonmati, who helped Spain follow up their World Cup triumph in 2023 by winning the Nations League last year.
"Initially all the tests came back fine but the last one confirmed she has viral meningitis," Tome, whose side also face Belgium and Italy in Group B, explained. "The word (meningitis) is scary but the doctor tells me it's under control.
"She will remain hospitalised; we don't know the timeline of her recovery. She's an extremely important player for us and we will wait for her, no matter what, as long as we have to."
Bonmati has earned 78 caps for Spain, scoring 30 goals. The Spanish football federation say that she'd been undergoing medical tests after suffering from a fever which failed to subside.
Viral meningitis is caused by an infection and it's more common than the rarer bacterial meningitis. The NHS say that viral meningitis tends to get better within seven to 10 days and can often be treated at home.
Who'll win Euro 2025? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
Bonmati was part of the Spain team who beat England in the final of the World Cup two years ago and Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman has sent her best wishes. "First of all I hope she's alright and I hope she recovers well and that she can come back with the team and play, because everyone wants to see players like Bonmati," Wiegman said.
"You want the best players from Europe being involved in tournaments, because that's exciting, that's what people come to watch - the best players from Europe. So I hope she will be involved and that she will get better soon."
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