Two-time Ballon d'Or winner shares worrying picture in hospital bed

Spain star Aitana Bonmati is currently in hospital after being diagnosed with viral meningitis, less than a week before the start of Euro 2025.

The 27-year-old Barcelona midfielder missed Thursday's training session and was subsequently admitted to a Madrid hospital on Friday. Bonmati was unable to participate in Spain's final friendly match before the tournament in Switzerland, where they triumphed over Japan with a 3-1 victory.

Aitana Bonmati has been hospitalised

The World Cup champions are set to kick off their campaign next Thursday, with a match against Portugal in Bern.

But the two-time Ballon d'Or winner might miss the game after she shared an Instagram photo of herself watching her team's victory over Japan from her hospital bed, with a cannula visible in her arm. Spain's manager Montse Tome provided an update on Bonmati, who played a key role in Spain's World Cup win in 2023 and their subsequent Nations League victory last year.

"Initially all the tests came back fine but the last one confirmed she has viral meningitis," explained Tome, whose team will also face Belgium and Italy in Group B. "The word (meningitis) is scary but the doctor tells me it's under control.

Bonmati shared a picture from her hospital bed

"She will remain hospitalised; we don't know the timeline of her recovery. She's an extremely important player for us and we will wait for her, no matter what, as long as we have to."

Bonmati, who has earned 78 caps for Spain and scored 30 goals, had been undergoing medical tests due to a persistent fever, according to the Spanish football federation.

Viral meningitis, which is commonly triggered by an infection, occurs more frequently than the less common bacterial form. The NHS suggests that viral meningitis generally improves within a week to ten days and can typically be managed from home.

Bonmati was instrumental in Spain's victory over England in the World Cup final two years prior, and Lionesses coach Sarina Wiegman has extended her warmest thoughts.

"First of all I hope she's alright 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," expressed Wiegman.

"You want the best players from Europe being involved in tournaments, because that's exciting, that's what people come to watch - the best players from Europe. So I hope she will be involved and that she will get better soon."