Aitana Bonmatí “grateful” to be preparing for quarter-finals after “frustrating” meningitis hospitalisation | OneFootball

Aitana Bonmatí revealed that she is “grateful” to be part of Spain’s squad as the World Champions prepare to face Switzerland in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 quarter-finals, just weeks after she was hospitalised with viral meningitis.

The two-time Ballon d’Or winner sent shockwaves across the footballing world when she posted a photo from her hospital bed less than a week before the tournament got underway, and while there was widespread panic that the Barcelona midfielder may have been sidelined, she told a press conference on Thursday that “I never thought I wouldn’t be at the Euros.”

“You know me: my mentality, my desire to be at these tournaments. Something unexpected happened to me,” she explained, adding that “I was great, training well, and then suddenly I find myself in hospital.”

“At that negative moment, five days before the tournament, they’re frustrating moments that hurt you [but] today I can say that I’m ready to fight in the quarter-finals and for that I’m grateful,” the 27-year-old revealed.

Spain will meet Switzerland in their quarter-final on Friday, with la Roja set to be outnumbered in the stands by the tournament hosts. Bonmatí hopes that her side can “continue making history” after their stunning first FIFA World Cup triumph two years ago.

“These life-or-death games are coming where you win or you go home, and we want to do everything we can to continue,” the Barça star explained in Spain’s pre-match press conference.

“We’ll try to maintain our level. I expect tight, competitive matches that are difficult to win, but that’s where we can grow and where we’ll see the best teams.”

Spain’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 quarter-final against Switzerland gets underway at Bern’s Stadion Wankdorf on Friday 18 July, with kick-off at 20:00 BST [21:00 CEST]. UK viewers can watch live on BBC One, with coverage from 19:30 BST.