Aitana Bonmati hospitalised with meningitis days before Euro 2025 as Spain sweat on two-time Ballon d'Or winner

The Spanish Football Federation has confirmed that star player Aitana Bonmati will now rejoin the national side after several days in hospital with viral meningitis. It comes just days before the start of UEFA Women's Euro 2025. "Fortunately, everything is going well," Bonmati posted on Instagram, ahead of Spain's opener against Portugal on Thursday, July 3.

Spain’s star player Aitana Bonmati has now been discharged from hospital after being treated for viral meningitis.

The two-time Ballon d’Or winner was diagnosed just days before the start of the UEFA Women’s European Championship.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed she was hospitalised for "several days", but is now out and will rejoin the national team in the coming days.

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Bonmati missed Friday’s 3–1 friendly win over Japan, instead watching from a hospital bed, where she shared an image on Instagram of herself with a cannula in her arm.

She posted a further update on Sunday, June 29, saying: "Thanks to everyone for the messages I’ve received and to those who have helped me these past few days.

"Fortunately, everything is going well. I hope to be back soon. Thanks to everyone."

Aitana Bonmati

Image credit: Instagram

Spain play Portugal in their Group B opener on Thursday, July 3, but it is not yet clear whether Bonmati will be well enough to play by then.

"The doctors say that it is controlled. Talking about meningitis can be scary, but it is controlled," coach Montse Tome told reporters.

"There are no deadlines yet to know for how long [she will be absent]. Aitana, for us, is a very important player. We’ll wait for her as long as we can."

According to the NHS, viral meningitis "tends to get better on its own within 7 to 10 days".

Bonmati, 26, has 30 goals in 78 caps for her country and was named player of the tournament as Spain won the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

She also played a pivotal role in last year’s UEFA Nations League triumph and was voted Ballon d’Or winner for a second time in October.

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