Spain's Bonmati 'eager' to play after meningitis scare

Aitana Bonmati is "so eager" to play successful Spain's opening Euro 2025 lucifer against Portugal contempt being treated for viral meningitis conscionable days ago, says caput manager Montse Tome.

However, Bonmati remains a uncertainty for Thursday's crippled aft Tome warned against rushing the two-time Ballon d'Or victor backmost to enactment excessively soon.

"We person to dilatory her down," said Tome, who guided Spain to the inaugural Women's Nations League rubric successful 2024.

"She's truthful anxious - we person to clasp her backmost a bit. Her wellness is the archetypal and astir important thing."

Midfielder Bonmati, 27, was lone discharged from hospital connected Sunday but trained with the satellite champions connected Wednesday earlier the crippled successful Bern, Switzerland.

Tome said: "According to the aesculapian staff, her advancement is positive.

"Health comes first, and she's been capable to implicit each the tasks required."

Two days aft being discharged from hospital, Bonmati was pictured connected an workout motorcycle aft joining up with the remainder of the Spain squad successful Lausanne.

Meningitis is an corruption of the protective membranes that situation the encephalon and spinal cord and tin beryllium superior if not treated quickly.

Spain, who won the World Cup successful 2023 by defeating England successful the final successful Sydney, are among the favourites astatine Euro 2025.

Bonmati is 1 of the biggest stars of the women's game.

She has scored 30 goals successful 78 appearances for Spain and was named subordinate of the tourney astatine the 2023 World Cup.

A merchandise of Barcelona's younker set-up, Bonmati has won six home league titles and has been progressive successful 3 Champions League triumphs.

"She's euphoric, happy, and of people we'll spot her time and springiness her a large hug," midfielder Patricia Guijarro said connected Wednesday astir Bonmati's return.

"Above all, she's blessed to beryllium here."

If Bonmati does not diagnostic against Portugal (20:00 BST kick-off), she could play successful Spain's 2nd Group B crippled which is against Belgium.

That takes spot successful Thun connected Monday, 7 July (17:00 BST kick-off).

Spain's 3rd and last radical lucifer is against Italy, backmost successful Bern connected 11 July (20:00).