![\"Aitana](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1751069831_409_1000.jpg\")
Aitana Bonmat\u00ed missed the friendly defeat of Japan. Photograph: Joan Monfort\/AP <\/p>\n Aitana Bonmat\u00ed missed the friendly defeat of Japan. Photograph: Joan Monfort\/AP <\/p>\n
Spain face a nervy wait over the availability of two-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner Aitana Bonmat\u00ed before the Euros after manager Montse Tom\u00e9 confirmed the midfielder has viral meningitis.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the Spanish media after Spain\u2019s 3-1 defeat of Japan in a pre-tournament friendly, Tom\u00e9 said \u201cwe can\u2019t talk about deadlines\u201d for the influential Barcelona player\u2019s return, after Bonmat\u00ed posted a photo of her watching the match from a hospital bed with a cannula in her arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe doctors say that it is controlled, talking about meningitis can be scary but it is controlled,\u201d said Tom\u00e9. \u201cAitana will be admitted and there are no deadlines yet to know for how long [she will be absent for].\u201d<\/p>\n
The Spanish Football Federation had said that Bonmat\u00ed had been undergoing medical tests after suffering from a fever. According to reports in Spain, the fever failed to subside and so more extensive tests were carried out which confirmed she has viral meningitis, an inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Viral meningitis is caused by an infection and is the more common version of the disease, as opposed to bacterial meningitis. According to the NHS, viral meningitis tends to get better on its own within seven to 10 days.<\/p>\n
Spain begin their Euro 2025 campaign in six days\u2019 time, when they play Portugal on 3 July. They then play Belgium on 7 July and Italy on 11 July.<\/p>\n