logo
Spain star Bonmati out of hospital after meningitis scare

Spain star Bonmati out of hospital after meningitis scare

France 2419 hours ago

The two-time Ballon d'Or winner missed Spain's friendly win over Japan on Friday in the women's world champions' last warm-up match before the start of Euro 2025 next week.
The RFEF statement revealed that the Barcelona player would now link up with Spain's Euro squad "in the coming days", although she is unlikely to figure in their opening matches.
Spain begin their Women's Euro 2025 campaign against neighbours Portugal next Thursday in Bern. They are also drawn with Belgium and Italy in Group B.
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Viral meningitis is less serious than the rarer bacterial variant, which can lead to death within 24 hours.
© 2025 AFP

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The players to watch at women's Euro 2025
The players to watch at women's Euro 2025

France 24

time4 hours ago

  • France 24

The players to watch at women's Euro 2025

Here AFP takes a look at the stars expected to make a splash in the tournament. Alexia Putellas (Spain) Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Putellas' importance to Spain has only increased since the shock news of her Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmati being diagnosed with viral meningitis, although the latter has been discharged from hospital and is expected to join up with her teammates this week. Putellas, 31, has the experience and standing to guide Spain in their charge for a first ever Euros title, and there will be extra weight on the midfielder's shoulders for La Roja's opening Group B match against Portugal on Thursday. Spain's squad is predictably dominated with Barca players who suffered a painful defeat to Arsenal in the recent Champions League final. Putellas was one of them and she has even more reason to be fired up after missing the last Euros with a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered a day before the tournament began. She has also returned to her best this past season with 22 goals and 17 assists for Barca, and she was also voted player of the season in Liga F. Lea Schueller (Germany) Bayern Munich striker Schueller has been the focus of Germany's attack since Alexandra Popp retired last year, and her lethal finishing will be key for Christian Wuck's team. Schueller, 27, has scored 52 times in 75 appearances for Germany and comes into the tournament having netted key goals in Bayern's domestic league and cup double. "Of course, we're not just in the tournament to take part. We're Germany. We definitely want to win a title," said Schueller in May. "But we're playing with a very young team, a team that's undergone a transformation, with a new coach and a new coaching staff. Nevertheless, we definitely want to compete for the title." Germany could be Spain's biggest challenger after showing great form in cruising into the Nations League finals, with Schueller netting five times in six Group A1 matches. Lauren James (England) That Sarina Wiegman included dynamo James in her squad despite her not playing a game since April due to a hamstring injury is a testament to just how important the Chelsea star is to the reigning champions. The 23-year-old is one of the players that give England an extra dimension, playing between midfield and attack and providing an extra element of creativity and unpredictability. The only question surrounding James is whether she can get up to full match fitness for the tournament, although Wiegman has said she expects James to be in the mix come England's opening fixture with France. "I never really doubted myself, because I think as soon as you have a doubt in your head, then it's always negative thoughts," James said after returning to full training earlier this month. "I always had in my head that I was going to make it." Claudia Pina (Spain) So far stuck in the role of super-sub, Barcelona forward Pina has been making a case all season to be a regular starter for both club and country after a superb campaign for the 23-year-old. Pina was the star of the show with two goals off the bench which gave Spain a come-from-behind win over England and a spot in the Nations League semi-finals. She was also on target twice in Barca's thumping of Chelsea in the last four of the Champions League, two of the 10 goals she scored which made her the top scorer in this year's competition. Kadidiatou Diani (France) Lyon forward Diani is France's most experienced player following coach Laurent Bonadei's shock move to drop former captain Wendie Renard and all-time leading goal scorer Eugenie Le Sommer. The 30-year-old will be key to the French, who are in a tough Group D alongside England, Wales and the Netherlands, and are hoping for a big show in Switzerland after winning all six of their matches in 2025. Diani comes into the tournament after a fine season with Lyon in which she scored 16 goals and set up 10 more in 29 appearances. © 2025 AFP

Vinicius rallying as Mbappe eyes Real Madrid return
Vinicius rallying as Mbappe eyes Real Madrid return

France 24

time4 hours ago

  • France 24

Vinicius rallying as Mbappe eyes Real Madrid return

From competing for the Ballon d'Or as Los Blancos won the Champions League and La Liga in the 2023-24 campaign, the Brazilian played well within himself as Madrid ended Carlo Ancelotti's reign second best to Catalan rivals Barcelona. New coach Xabi Alonso was delighted to see the Brazilian winger shine brightly as Real Madrid set up Tuesday's Club World Cup last-16 clash against Juventus. If the 24-year-old is at his devastating best, along with Kylian Mbappe's impending return following a stomach bug, Madrid have the firepower they need to win the competition. Vinicius struck and created a goal for Fede Valverde with a backheel assist in the 3-0 win over Salzburg which helped Madrid seal top spot in Group H and avoid Manchester City, who have been the strongest side thus far in the United States. "I'm very happy because Vini, like any forward, needed that goal," said Alonso. Vinicius is in a contract tussle with Real Madrid over a new deal, with the Brazilian currently on the books until 2027. "I hope I can stay here for many years. I've always said it's the club of my life," said Vinicius earlier this week. "I'm very happy with the coach and all the staff, and I hope I can stay here." Madrid need the forward to click with last summer's marquee arrival Mbappe, without sacrificing the team's defensive stability. Los Blancos face Juventus in Orlando hoping to reach the quarter-finals and may be boosted by the return of superstar striker Mbappe, who could link up with Vinicius for the first time under Alonso. Mbappe missed all three group games and also had to go to hospital after suffering acute gastroenteritis, but has been training normally for several days. The Spanish coach believes the duo can play together, even though they had teething problems after the French forward arrived, occupying similar spaces. Mbappe eventually found top form and finished the season with 43 goals across all competitions, while Vinicius netted 22 times without getting close to his very best level. "They can do it, Vini from the outside, Kylian from the inside... it's not mutually exclusive, things can work, there's individual quality, but we need the team to function," explained Alonso. 'Sacrifices' Alonso has explained that no player in the Real Madrid starting line-up is free of defensive duties. Last season Ancelotti lined up regularly with Vinicius, Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo Goes in the side and Madrid paid the price at the back. "What I am certain of is that we need and want everyone to defend -- the 11 players on the pitch have to be involved defensively," said Alonso before the Salzburg game. The coach was impressed with Vinicius' work ethic against the Austrians. "Aside from the goals, I was also really happy with the work he put in," added Alonso. "He helped to defend, he made sacrifices, he stayed connected with the team, didn't switch off, and that's very important to me." Alonso will hope Vinicius continues in that vein as Mbappe prepares to make his return, possibly from the bench against Juventus. Even though the Alonso era is just beginning, the Juve clash and potential quarter-final tie against Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey will be an early test for how the coach can handle utilising both star names together.

England's nemesis Spain bid to add Euro title to world crown
England's nemesis Spain bid to add Euro title to world crown

France 24

time4 hours ago

  • France 24

England's nemesis Spain bid to add Euro title to world crown

Spain showed they are the team to beat in Europe with their dramatic win over defending European champions England in June which propelled them into the Nations League semi-finals. It was England also that Spain beat in 2023 to be crowned world champions. Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitina Bonmati is the biggest name amongst a host of Barcelona players in Montse Tome's squad heading to Switzerland for the Euros which kicks off on Tuesday. However, there is a question mark hanging over Bonmati as she is recovering from viral meningitis, only being discharged from hospital on Sunday and due to meet up with her teammates later this week. "Talking about meningitis can be scary but it is controlled," said Tome. "She is a very important player for us. We'll wait for her as long as we can." La Roja's large Barca cohort will be keen to bounce back from a shock defeat to Arsenal in the recent Champions League final by holding the European and world titles at the same time. Spain will be without their all-time top scorer Jenni Hermoso who was not selected by Tome, one of many of those who delivered the World Cup not heading to the Euros. Veteran Hermoso's absence raised eyebrows as the 35-year-old plays and scores regularly for Tigres in Mexico. Tomes has insisted her absence has nothing to do with the furore that surrounded her being forcibly kissed after the World Cup final by former Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales. Rubiales was fined 10,800 euros ($11,670) for sexual assault in February. Hermoso, who has scored 57 times for her country, played in all six qualifiers for the Euros, netting three times, but hasn't featured in the last four Spain squads. She appeared to take a pop at Tome after being left out of the Euros squad by saying the players could "probably become champions of Europe on their own". The level of talent is such that Hermoso might have struck on a half-truth in her moment of anger: such is the quality available to Tomes only 11 World Cup winners are in the Euros squad. England, Germany contenders Claudia Pina is another star in the making after a series of impressive super-sub appearances for Barcelona and her country, including both goals in Spain's Nations League win over England. England coach Sarina Wiegman has had a difficult build-up to the Euros, with goalkeeper Mary Earps and midfielder Fran Kirby retiring from international football, while key defender Millie Bright then pulled out of the tournament to prioritise her mental and physical health. The trio started every game when England secured their first major silverware at the last Euros three years ago, and are huge losses for the Lionesses. England have also been far from their best in recent matches and are in the tournament's toughest group alongside France, the Netherlands and Wales. But Wiegman has reached the final, and won two, of her last four major tournaments and England are, alongside Germany, Spain's main rivals for victory in Switzerland. "My experience before tournaments is that there is always noise. We expect noise until we go into the tournament," said Wiegman after announcing her squad for the tournament. "It doesn't feel like a crisis at all." Eight-time champions Germany head into their first tournament without Alexandra Popp since the prolific Wolfsburg striker made her debut back in 2010. Missing someone with such a wealth of top-level experience is a blow for Germany, who haven't won a major honour since 2013. On the upside Christian Wuck's team are unbeaten in 2025. Wuck will rely heavily on Bayern Munich striker Lea Schueller who has scored 52 times in 75 appearances for Germany, including five goals in six Nations league Group A1 matches.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store