MADRID (AP) — Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí left hospital on Sunday and is expected to rejoin the squad in the next few days to try to play in the Women’s European Championship, the Spanish soccer federation said.
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner was hospitalized after falling ill with a fever late Friday. She tested positive for meningitis.
“After several days hospitalized with viral meningitis, Aitana Bonmatí has been discharged from the hospital and will join the Spanish national team in the coming days,” the federation said in its brief statement, without giving more detail about her condition.
Bonmatí missed Friday’s friendly win against Japan in Madrid and was not expected to travel with the rest squad to Switzerland on Sunday. It wasn’t clear when she would travel.
Spain’s first game is against Portugal on Thursday in Bern. It will also face Belgium and Italy in Group B at Euro 2025.
If Bonmatí’s condition doesn’t improve, coach Montse Tomé still has some time to replace her with another player ahead of the tournament.
Spain won the World Cup in 2023 for its first major women’s trophy. It also won the inaugural edition of the Women’s Nations League in 2024. It has never won the European Championship.
The 27-year-old Bonmatí has won the top individual award for women’s soccer for the past two years. The Barcelona player was key to Spain winning the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Bonmatí’s vision, dribbling skills, passing and goals have also been vital to Barcelona reaching five consecutive Champions League finals, with the Catalan club winning three titles.
Her absence would put more pressure on Alexia Putellas, herself a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, and fellow Barcelona midfielder Patricia Guijarro to lead Spain in Switzerland.
Three years ago, Putellas tore her ACL three days before starting the 2022 European Championship. Spain was eliminated in the quarterfinals without its then-top player.
Spain should still be favored 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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