Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí hospitalized with meningitis less than a week before Euro 2025

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"Aitana Bonmatí Hospitalized with Viral Meningitis Ahead of Women's Euro 2025"

Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí hospitalized with meningitis less than a week before Euro 2025 analysis cover image CNN 8.5
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Original Article Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/28/sport/aitana-bonmati-meningitis-euro-2025-spt-intl
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Aitana Bonmatí, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner and a key player for the Spanish national soccer team, has been hospitalized with viral meningitis just days before the commencement of the Women's Euro 2025 tournament. The news was confirmed by her manager, Montse Tomé, who reported that Bonmatí experienced a fever on Thursday evening and was admitted to the hospital on Friday after her condition did not improve. Tomé reassured fans and the public during a press conference following Spain's recent friendly match against Japan, which Bonmatí missed, stating that while the diagnosis of viral meningitis is alarming, the medical team has indicated that her condition is currently under control. However, the exact timeline for her recovery remains uncertain, leaving her participation in the upcoming tournament in doubt.

Aitana Bonmatí has been a standout player in women's soccer, earning recognition as one of the best in the sport over the past few years, with two consecutive Ballon d'Or Féminin awards in 2023 and 2024. She has been instrumental in FC Barcelona's success, helping the team reach five consecutive Women's Champions League finals, winning three of them. Bonmatí has also made significant contributions to the Spanish national team, scoring 30 goals in 78 appearances. As the Women's Euros approach, Spain, the defending world champions, are set to begin their campaign against Portugal on Thursday. Should Bonmatí be unable to play, 18-year-old Vicky López is expected to step into the starting lineup, having already filled in during the friendly match against Japan. The history of La Roja in the Euros has been challenging, with the team never progressing beyond the semifinals, and the recent injury of another star player, Alexia Putellas, adds to the pressure as they aim to secure a strong performance in the tournament.

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Source URL: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/28/sport/aitana-bonmati-meningitis-euro-2025-spt-intl

Spanish soccer starAitana Bonmatíhas been hospitalized with viral meningitis just days before the start of theWomen’s Euroson Wednesday, her manager Montse Tomé said.

The 27-year-old had a fever on Thursday evening and was taken to the hospital on Friday when her condition did not improve, according to Tomé.

“She is the first to authorize me to say this and the first who wants it to be said: she has viral meningitis,” Tomé said in a press conference Friday following Spain’s 3-1 friendly victory over Japan, which Bonmatí missed.

“The word is definitely scary, but the doctor tells me it is under control,” she continued. “We don’t know the timeframe, we don’t know anything else.”

On Friday night, Bonmatí posted a picture of herself watching the game against Japan from a hospital bed, with a cannula in her arm.

The midfielder is widely considered to have been the best player in women’s soccer over the past few years, having been awarded theBallon d’Or Fémininin both 2023 and 2024.

Bonmatí has played a crucial role in the Barcelona team, which has reached five consecutive Women’s Champions League finals, winning three. She also has 30 goals in 78 games for her country.

The Women’s Euros begin in Switzerland on Wednesday when Iceland faces Finland. Spain, the reigning world champion, will play its first game of the tournament against Portugal on Thursday evening.

Should Bonmatí remain absent from the team, it appears likely that 18-year-old Vicky López will take her place in the starting XI, having filled in for her in the game against Japan.

La Rojahas never made it past the semifinals of this competition. The team was knocked out by eventual winner England in the quarterfinals in 2022 after fellow two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) three days before the start of the tournament.

Meningitis is a swelling of the protective membranes which cover the brain and spinal cord. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the disease can be very serious, but most people with mild viral meningitis recover with seven to 10 days without the need for treatment.

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Source: CNN