Spanish football has been dealt a significant blow with the news that star midfielder Aitana Bonmati has suffered a serious leg injury in training with the national team. The 27-year-old, a three-time Ballon d'Or Féminin winner, fractured her fibula and will undergo surgery, sidelining her for an estimated three months.
A Training Ground Setback
The injury occurred during a Spanish national team training session on Sunday. Reports indicate Bonmati took an awkward fall. The setback comes just as Spain was preparing for the second leg of the UEFA Women's Nations League final against Germany at Atlético Madrid's Metropolitano stadium on Tuesday. Bonmati had played 77 minutes in the goalless first leg in Kaiserslautern just days earlier.
Her club, FC Barcelona, confirmed the diagnosis of a fibula fracture on Monday and stated she would be operated on Tuesday. The expected recovery timeline means she will miss a substantial portion of the season, including pivotal matches for both her club and country.
Major Fixtures Missed
The timing of the injury is particularly cruel. Bonmati is set to be absent for Spain's crucial 2025 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification match against England in April. This high-stakes fixture is a repeat of the 2023 Women's World Cup final and a key battle in the European qualifying campaign.
Spanish national team coach, Sonia Bermúdez, who was appointed after the Euro 2025 final defeat, expressed the squad's solidarity. "Aitana wanted to stay for the final and be with us," Bermúdez said. "We told her she had to return to Barcelona to start her recovery because, for us, the health of our players comes first. We want to dedicate tomorrow's victory to her."
Team Reaction and a Stellar Career Paused
Bonmati's club and international teammate, Spanish captain Irene Paredes, highlighted the impact of the loss. "Absences like Aitana's can destabilise you because nobody likes to see a teammate injured," Paredes stated. "Her absence is a major loss for the national team and also for Barça. I send her lots of encouragement and wish her a full recovery."
This injury brings a disappointing halt to another phenomenal year for Bonmati. She made history by becoming the first player to win the women's Ballon d'Or three times. She also secured a domestic treble with Barcelona and reached the UEFA Women's Champions League final with her club, in addition to the Euro 2025 final with Spain.
This is not the first health scare Bonmati has faced recently; she contracted viral meningitis on the eve of the European Championship but recovered swiftly to play in the tournament's opening match and was later named its best player.
For Barcelona, who currently lead Liga F by six points and their Champions League group, her absence is a major challenge. The homegrown talent has contributed six goals and three assists in the domestic league this season. The football world now awaits the successful recovery of one of its brightest stars.
