EURO 2025 for women: Golden Ball hospitalized with meningitis

VHO - Just days before the 2025 EURO Women's Finals kick off, the Spanish national team has received a huge shock when star Aitana Bonmatí, winner of two consecutive Ballon d'Ors, was urgently hospitalized due to viral meningitis. This information immediately raised concerns about the ability to participate in the tournament of the most important midfielder in the squad of coach Montse Tomé.

Aitana Bonmatí is the captain of the Spanish women's team.

Irreplaceable player

Aitana Bonmatí was absent from Spain's 3-1 win over Japan in their final friendly on June 28.

Initially, the medical team informed her that she had a persistent high fever and had to undergo further tests.

Things only got worse when the female midfielder posted a photo on social media of herself lying in a hospital bed, with an IV in her arm and watching the match on a small screen. The image shocked female football fans around the world .

Bonmati's image shared on social media

After the match, coach Montse Tomé confirmed the diagnosis: “Aitana has viral meningitis. It sounds scary, but her condition is under control at the moment. However, we cannot yet determine a specific recovery time.”

Aitana Bonmatí is not only the Ballon d'Or for two consecutive years (2023 and 2024), but is also the "heart" of La Roja's midfield.

She has scored 30 goals in 78 appearances for the national team, playing a key role in the last two major titles: the 2023 Women's World Cup and the 2024 UEFA Women's Nations League.

Coach Montse Tomé admitted: “She is an extremely important player, we will wait for her until the last minute. The absence of Aitana will be a big loss both tactically and mentally. But at the moment, the most important thing is her health.”

There is still hope

According to information from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Aitana has been prescribed intravenous treatment and closely monitored at the hospital.

Teammates said they only learned that Aitana had meningitis after the friendly match with Japan ended.

Coach Tomé emphasized: "We respect the player's privacy and only publish what is allowed to be shared. I am not a doctor so I cannot say more, but the whole team will wait for her."

The Spanish team will travel to Switzerland on June 30 to begin their journey in Group B of the 2025 Women's EURO, where they will meet Portugal (July 3), Belgium (July 7) and Italy (July 11).

Historically, La Roja have never reached the final of a women's EURO, their best achievement being the semi-finals in 1997. But with the current generation of talent, especially Aitana Bonmatí, expectations are very high.

However, if the "conductor" cannot return in time, it will be a difficult problem for the Spanish coaching staff - in the context that the journey to conquer the top of Europe is only a matter of days.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/euro-nu-2025-qua-bong-vang-nhap-vien-vi-viem-mang-nao-147016.html