Aitana Bonmati: Spain star's Euros involvement still in doubt despite hospital discharge | OneFootball

The Ballon d’Or holder could stand to miss chunks of the summer tournament

Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati has been discharged from hospital after being diagnosed with viral meningitis less than a week before Spain’s Euro 2025 opener.

Bonmati was a key cog in the wheel as Spain won the World Cup in 2023, but her involvement at the Euros was thrown into doubt last week as she missed training and was later hospitalised with an unexplained fever.

According to the NHS, the illness is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, and can be serious if untreated, causing sepsis in extreme cases.

The illness generally requires seven to 10 days for recovery. Spain kick off their Euro 2025 campaign on July 3, just four days away, facing Portugal in Berne.

Concerns were first raised when the Barcelona star missed training with a persistent and ‘unjustified’ fever last Thursday. She went on to miss Spain’s 3-1 friendly win over Japan the next day, later posting a photo of herself in a hospital bed on Instagram, revealing an IV in her arm.

On the initial diagnosis, Spain head coach Montse Tome said: “Talking about meningitis can be scary but it is controlled.

"She is a very important player for us. We'll wait for her as long as we can."

She added that ‘no deadlines’ had been imposed for her return to the squad.

Spain share their Euros group with Belgium, Portugal, and Italy. They are considered clear favourites to clinch the title alongside Germany and defending champions England.

There are some signs of weakness in the squad, though, after they finished fourth at the Olympics.

England head coach Sarina Wiegman wished Bonmati a speedy recovery: “First of all I hope she’s all right and I hope she recovers well and that she can come back with the team and play, because everyone wants to see players like Bonmati [at the Euros].

England defender Jess Carter echoed the sentiment: “Obviously it’s really sad hearing of anyone becoming unwell, and we all just want her to get better soon and [we] wish her all the best. And then hopefully after recovering, she gets to the tournament and continues to put on the performances that she does.”