Spain star Aitana Bonmatí hospitalized with meningitis less than a week before Euro 2025
MADRID (AP) — Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí, the two-time Ballon d'Or holder, has been hospitalized with viral meningitis less than a week before the Women's European Championship begins.
Spain coach Montse Tomé said late on Friday that her star player had felt ill and was taken to a hospital in Madrid where she tested positive for meningitis.
Spain's team is set to travel to Switzerland on Sunday for the tournament. Its first game is against Portugal on Thursday in Bern.
'Aitana is a very important player for us and we will wait for her,' Tomé said after Bonmatí missed Friday's friendly against Japan in the Spanish capital when Spain beat the visitors 3-1.
The 27-year-old Bonmatí has won the top individual award for women's soccer for the past two years. The Barcelona player was key in Spain winning the 2023 Women's World Cup.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Xabi Alonso urges Real Madrid not to underestimate ‘historic' Juventus
Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has urged his side not to underestimate Juventus, as the two clubs prepare to meet in the Club World Cup round of 16. Bayer Leverkusen's Spanish head coach Xabi Alonso looks on ahead of kick-off in the UEFA Europa League final football match between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen at the Dublin Arena stadium, in Dublin, on May 22, 2024. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) Both teams made light work of their group – Real Madrid finishing top of their group on seven points and Juventus finishing in second place in theirs with six points. Madrid dropped points against Simone Inzaghi's Al-Hilal whilst Igor Tudor's side lost 5-2 to Manchester City in the final group stage match. Advertisement Despite this thumping at the hands of the Premier League giants, Xabi Alonso has urged his Real Madrid not to underestimate the Bianconeri, with quotes via Tuttosport, arguing that 'the result against [Manchester] City doesn't matter – they have a great team and it will be really tough.' Alonso on Juventus threat to Real Madrid and Mbappe fitness Alonso is aware of the threat the Old Lady pose, adding that 'once you get past the group stage, every match feels like a final. Juve is Juve – they are a historic club in Europe.' BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 11: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Jude Bellingham during the LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on May 11, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by) Kylian Mbappe's availability may prove decisive, with the player a doubt after recovering from a stomach-related injury. When asked about the French forward, Alonso said 'We need Kylian, obviously. We want him back as soon as possible and in the best condition. He's one of the best players in the world so I hope that he will be ready. I can't guarantee he'll play but we are optimistic.' Mbappe was instrumental for Real Madrid last season after his move from PSG, scoring 31 goals and assisting three in 34 La Liga matches. However, Madrid failed to win their domestic title, with Hansi Flick's Barcelona proving too tough to overcome.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Barcelona name asking price for out-of-favour attacker
The board at La Liga giants Barcelona have placed an asking price on the head of versatile attacker Pau Víctor for the summer. That's according to Diario Sport, who have this weekend provided an insight into the situation. Advertisement Frontman Víctor, for his part, is fresh off something of a difficult campaign in Catalunya's capital in 2024/25. Owing to the fierce competition for places in Hansi Flick's frontline, the 23-year-old largely struggled for game-time, to the tune of just two starts across all competitions. At such a crucial point in his development as a player, it has in turn come as little surprise to see Víctor linked with a summer transfer away from the Camp Nou. Girona, for one, are understood to boast a long-standing interest in the signature of the Spaniard. And as alluded to above, should the Blanquivermells, or any other club for that matter, choose to move ahead with a bid for Víctor, they will now be aware of the kind of sum which will Barcelona are seeking to sanction a sale. As per a report from Sport, the Blaugrana are seeking a fee in excess of €5 million. Conor Laird – GSFN
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Nico Williams sends transfer message to Barcelona
Athletic Club star Nico Williams this week forwarded something of a request to La Liga rivals Barcelona, regarding their ongoing pursuit of his signature. That's according to Diario Sport, who have on Saturday provided an insight into the situation. Advertisement Wide-man Nico has of course already agreed on the terms of a contract with Barcelona, all the way through the summer of 2031. With Athletic Club having made clear that they have no intention of negotiating a transfer with Barca, the Blaugrana have in turn been left with no other option than to pay the Spanish international's exit clause, in full. And it is precisely as much which Nico himself would like to see forked over at the earliest possibility opportunity. As per a report from Sport, whilst the 22-year-old has not set many conditions for his joining Barcelona, he has sent one request to Deco and co: Advertisement 'He wants the payment of his clause to be done before July 9, the date on which Athletic returns to work to carry out the preseason. Nico does not want soap operas or speculation of any kind and is clear that the pressure he would have to endure would be very strong if he joins the discipline of the Basque team.' Conor Laird – GSFN
