Spain's Bonmati hospitalized with viral meningitis

Midfielder Aitana Bonmati, Ballon d'Or victor for the past 2 years, has been hospitalized with viral meningitis little than a week earlier Spain statesman their Women's Euro 2025 campaign, manager Montse Tome said.

The 27-year-old missed Friday's 3-1 triumph implicit Japan successful a affable arsenic Spain continued gathering up to their archetypal Group B lucifer against Portugal connected July 3.

Bonmati shared a representation of herself watching the lucifer from a infirmary furniture successful an Instagram story.

"The doctors accidental that it is controlled. Talking astir meningitis tin beryllium scary but it is controlled," Tome told reporters aft the triumph successful Leganes.

"Aitana volition beryllium admitted and determination are nary deadlines yet to cognize for however agelong (she volition beryllium absent)."

Barcelona's Bonmati, who besides won the FIFA Women's Player of the Year grant for 2023 and 2024, has scored 30 goals for Spain successful 78 appearances, playing a cardinal relation arsenic they won the Women's World Cup successful 2023 and the Women's Nations League past year.

"Aitana, for us, is simply a precise important player. We'll hold for her arsenic agelong arsenic we can," Tome added.

Spain, who besides person Belgium and Italy successful their group, person ne'er made it to the last of the continental championship, reaching the semi-finals lone erstwhile successful 1997.