The reigning female Golden Ball winner has been diagnosed with meningitis.

(Dan Tri) - The winner of the Women's Golden Ball award for two consecutive years, Aitana Bonmati, has just been hospitalized due to meningitis, less than a week before the Spanish team enters the 2025 Women's Euro campaign.

Coach Montse Tome confirmed this information after the recent friendly match between the Spanish women's team and Japan (won 3-1). In this match, Spain's number 1 star Aitana Bonmati did not play. On social media, Bonmati shared a picture of herself watching the match from her hospital bed, along with a positive message.

Aitana Bonmati was diagnosed with meningitis (Photo: Sky Sports).

Coach Tome shared: “Doctors confirmed that her condition is under control. Meningitis may scare many people, but Bonmati’s situation is still under control. Aitana is still being monitored in the hospital and it is not clear when she can return to the field.”

Bonmati is currently on the payroll of FC Barcelona. She has won two Ballon d'Or awards in 2023 and 2024. The 27-year-old midfielder was also a key player in the 2023 Women's World Cup and the Women's Nations League with the Spanish women's team. She has scored 30 goals in 78 appearances for the national team.

Coach Tome emphasized the importance of Bonmati: “She is an extremely important player for us. We will wait for Bonmati as much as possible.”

Bonmati is the owner of the Women's Golden Ball award for two consecutive years (Photo: FIFA).

Spain have been drawn in the same group as Portugal, Belgium and Italy at the 2025 European Women’s Championship. Despite being considered a strong contender for the title, the Spanish team has never made it to the final of the continental competition and has only reached the semi-finals once, in 1997.

Bonmati's absence from the early stages of the tournament will certainly have a significant impact on Spain's strength, who will play their opening match against Portugal on July 3.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/duong-kim-qua-bong-vang-nu-the-gioi-bi-mac-benh-viem-mang-nao-20250628183012101.htm