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The 27-year-old two-time Ballon d’Or winner was take to the hospital after she felt ill and tested positive for meningitis.
Spain star Aitana Bonmati. (X)
Spain star Aitana Bonmati has been hospitalised with a case of viral meningitis ahead of the start of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.
The 27-year-old two-time Ballon d’Or winner was take to the hospital after she felt ill and tested positive for meningitis.
Spain, who are grouped alongside Portugal, Belgium and Italy in Group B of the women’s continental event, begin their campaign on Thursday in Bern against their Portuguese counterparts.
“Aitana is a very important player for us and we will wait for her,” Spain head coach Montse Tome said.
“She has authorized me to say that she has viral meningitis,” she added.
“The word is scary, but the doctor tells me that she is under control. She will remain in the hospital and we don’t know for how long,” the head coach stated.
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England will look to defend their women’s crown in Switzerland and are slated to get their campaign underway against France on the 6th of July. The English Lionesses will also play The Netherlands and Wales in their league stage encounters in Group D.
Bonmatí’s vision, dribbling skills, passing, and goals have been crucial to Barcelona reaching five consecutive Champions League finals, with the Catalan club winning three titles.
Her absence would increase the pressure on fellow Barcelona midfielder and two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Alexia Putellas, and Patricia Guijarro to lead Spain. Against Japan, Tomé started 18-year-old Vicky López in place of Bonmatí.
Three years ago, Putellas tore her ACL three days before the start of the 2022 European Championship. Spain was eliminated in the quarterfinals without its then-top player.
Spain should still be favoured in its opener against Portugal, a team it beat twice in April, including a 7-1 home victory, in the Nations League.
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