Spain team news: Aitana Bonmati says she is ‘100 per cent physically’ after meningitis diagnosis

Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati has said she is at “100 per cent physically” for Spain’s quarter-final against Switzerland on Friday after being hospitalised with viral meningitis before the 2025 European Championship.

The Barcelona midfielder said in a pre-match press conference she had been “unable to move” after leaving the hospital, three days after the diagnosis, but feels “well” now.

“It’s frustrating,” she said of her diagnosis and subsequent absence. “These are moments you suffer, but luckily today I can say that I’m about to play in the quarter-finals and I’m not in hospital. I have to be grateful. It’s difficult to deal with because you want to be there, but you feel a bit distant. It wasn’t a normal flu, so they did the best they could for my health.

“When I left the hospital, I had been lying down for four or five days unable to move, and I completely stopped all physical activity, so my return to the field has been gradual.

“These are things I don’t usually encounter, but it’s a new situation from which I’ve learned a lot. I feel very well. I’m happy and glad to be here, healthy.”

Bonmati told The Athletic this week that her illness put her “in a situation of suffering” but she “had a radical change for the better” after being unwell for two to three days. 

The 27-year-old made her first appearance at the Euros during the last ten minutes of Spain’s 5-0 win against Portugal, six days after the diagnosis. Bonmati didn’t start the game against Belgium either but did for the first time in the competition against Italy on Friday. 

Spain will take on hosts Switzerland on Friday in Benn. The reigning World Cup champions finished top of their group after winning all three games against Portugal, Belgium and Italy. 

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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