LAS ROZAS, SPAIN – JUNE 24: Aitana Bonmati of Spain attends during the Media day of the Spanish … More
Spain’s two-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati has been discharged from hospital after undergoing treatment for viral meningitis and is expected to rejoin the squad in “the coming days”, the federation has announced.
Bonmati’s participation at the upcoming Women’s Euro had been under doubt after the midfielder did not train on Thursday and was taken to a hospital in Madrid on Friday after being diagnosed with viral meningitis, an infection that causes inflammation near the brain and spinal cord.
“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 return soon,” Bonmati said on Instagram on Sunday, sharing a photo of herself in a hospital bed with a thumbs-up.
The 27-year-old missed Spain’s final warm-up game ahead of the Euro – a friendly game with Japan on Friday in Leganes which the world champions won 3-1. The Spain squad headed to Switzerland on Sunday afternoon, with the Euro due to begin there from Wednesday.
La Roja are scheduled to open their campaign against Portugal on Thursday, with Belgium and Italy their other opponents in Group B.
Bonmati, winner of the Ballon d’Or in 2023 and 2024, is a key player of the Spain squad with 30 goals in 78 appearances. She played an important role in their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup-winning campaign and the UEFA Nations League last year.
Spain are playing at the Euro for only the fifth time, having enjoyed their best performance in 1997 when they reached the semi-finals. They reached the quarter-finals in their other three editions.
Spain are one of the pre-tournament favorites, alongside defending champions England and record eight-time winners Germany.