# Aitana Bonmati Begins Recovery as Spain Face Anxious Wait for Euro 2025

The football world is collectively holding its breath as star midfielder **Aitana Bonmati** begins a crucial recovery period at her home after being discharged from hospital. The Barcelona and Spain maestro was admitted for three days with a diagnosis of viral meningitis, a serious condition that has cast significant doubt over her participation in the upcoming UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 in Switzerland. While her release is positive news, the path back to the pitch for an elite athlete is fraught with challenges, leaving coaches, teammates, and fans in a state of hopeful suspense.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has confirmed that the Ballon d’Or winner’s condition is under control following treatment, but a strict and carefully monitored recovery program is now in effect. This development places Spain’s head coach, Montse Tomé, in a difficult position as she finalizes her squad for a tournament where La Roja are considered one of the leading contenders.

## The Indispensable Role of Aitana Bonmati

To understand the magnitude of this situation, one must appreciate the influence **Aitana Bonmati** wields on the pitch. She is not merely a player; she is the tactical fulcrum and creative engine for both the all-conquering FC Barcelona Femení and the reigning World Cup champion Spanish national team. Her unparalleled vision, relentless work rate, and ability to dictate the tempo of a game from midfield have made her arguably the best player in the world.

Her absence would create a tactical void that is nearly impossible to fill. For Spain, Bonmati is the link between the deep-lying midfielders and the forward line, often arriving late in the box to score crucial goals or providing the final pass that unlocks stubborn defences. Her synergy with teammates like Alexia Putellas and Mariona Caldentey is a product of years playing together at club and country level, a chemistry that cannot be replicated overnight. The team’s entire system is built around her dynamism, and her potential absence forces a fundamental rethink of their approach to defending their European crown.

### Spain’s Contingency Plan and the FIFA Deadline

Recognizing her immense value, Montse Tomé has opted to play a waiting game. The RFEF confirmed in a statement that Bonmati remains on the provisional 23-player list for the tournament. “We will wait until the last possible moment,” the federation noted, a decision enabled by FIFA regulations that permit a team to make a medical-based replacement up to 24 hours before their first match. Spain is scheduled to open their Euro 2025 campaign on July 3, giving them a tight but viable window to make a final call.

In the meantime, training plans have been adjusted to prepare for a scenario without their star. Levante’s creative playmaker Maria Méndez and the versatile Eva Navarro of Atlético Madrid, both on the standby list, are being integrated into tactical sessions. Furthermore, reports suggest that captain Alexia Putellas has been trialled in a deeper, more creative role to potentially compensate for Bonmati’s playmaking duties, a significant shift for the two-time Ballon d’Or winner herself.

### Understanding Viral Meningitis and the Recovery Protocol

While the term “meningitis” is alarming, it’s crucial to distinguish between viral and bacterial forms. Viral meningitis, while serious and debilitating, is generally less severe than its bacterial counterpart. However, the recovery process is far from simple. Symptoms can include severe headaches, fever, fatigue, and sensitivity to light, all of which can linger.

For an elite athlete like **Aitana Bonmati**, the primary concern is the risk of a premature return. Pushing the body too soon after such an infection can lead to a significant relapse, prolonged post-viral fatigue, and other neurological complications. The medical teams at both FC Barcelona and the RFEF are working in close collaboration, as confirmed by the official Spanish Football Federation. They are utilising remote monitoring technology to track her vitals and physiological responses as she begins light, home-based activities. A definitive return-to-play assessment is scheduled for next week, which will be the decisive moment for her Euro 2025 hopes. The decision will be based purely on medical data, prioritising her long-term health over short-term tournament ambitions.

### Analysis: Caution Must Prevail

As devastating as her absence would be for Spain’s title aspirations, the situation demands a perspective rooted in caution. **Aitana Bonmati** is a generational talent at the peak of her powers. Risking her long-term career and well-being for a single tournament, however prestigious, would be an unforgivable error in judgment. The pressure to compete is immense, but the responsibility to protect the athlete is greater. If there is any ambiguity in her final medical assessment, the only correct decision is to allow her the time she needs to heal completely. The future of Spanish and world football will be brighter with a fully fit **Aitana Bonmati** for years to come. The world watches on, hoping for the best but prepared for a sensible outcome, whatever that may be. Find out more about this and other breaking stories; check back with us for more news.