From hospital bed to Euro 2025 Hero: Aitana Bonmati back to her decisive best for Spain

«You could write a book about this,» Aitana Bonmati said on Wednesday when she thinks about the last few weeks in her life after scoring the goal that Spain brought to the final of the Euro 2025 of the women.

At the end of June, the world’s leading women’s football player was in the hospital with viral meningitis and it seemed that she might not be able to play for Spain during the tournament in Switzerland.

Now she is preparing to lead her team to Sunday’s final against England in Basel, in a rematch of the World Cup Declare 2023 that Spain won, after converting the only goal of the last four collision with Germany late in extra time.

«When the ball went in, I started running around like a crazy person. I didn’t know where to go,» said a smiling Bolmati as she spoke with the media at the Letzigund Stadium in Zurich after collecting the trophy for player of the game.

«It is so special to score in games like this and if I can help the team to keep making the history that is indeed very special.»

Barcelona Midfender Bonnii, who won the Ballon d’Or in each of the last two years, was taken to the hospital at the end of June after he was not feeling well.

Tests confirmed that she suffered from an attack of viral meningitis and Bonmati could only look from bed while her teammates beat Japan in a friendly.

Viral meningitis is less serious than the rarer bacterial variant, which can lead to death within 24 hours, but it still seemed like a long recording for her to restore the euros on time.

Growing rivalry

Yet she recovered and appeared as a late replacement in the opening match of Spain at the tournament, a 5-0 win over Portugal in Bern on July 3.

The 27-year-old was back in the starting line-up for the last group match of Spain, a 3-1 win over Italy, and retained her place for the quarterfinals against the host country before scored the winner against Germany.

«I don’t believe in Destiny, only in hard work and in my own mentality. I can only thank everyone who supported me because it was not easy,» Bonmati admitted.

«She had no easy start to the euros, but she has succeeded in overcoming her health problems and has worked hard to get fit again,» said coach Montse Tome.

Spain is now in its very first Senior Women’s European Championship final, two years after winning the World Cup for the first time.

Bonmati was one of the stars of that excellent team that England defeated in Sydney and now dreams of a different title.

Read also | Spain finally reaches after 1-0 extra-time victory over Germany

La Roja are the favorites, even if England is the defensive continental champions, for the latest episode in a growing rivalry between the nations.

In addition to the final of the World Cup of 2023, Spain defeated England in the final of the men -euros last year in Berlin.

At the end of May, an Arsenal side with different members of Sarina Wiegman’s current English team Barcelona in the final of the Women’s Champions League.

Seven of the players who started that day in Lisbon for Barcelona also started on Wednesday against Germany, including goalkeeper Cata Coll who made various vital rescues before Bonmati got the winner.

«Cata played really well, with a few big saves when we were suffering,» said Bonmati about Coll, who missed all three group matches of Spain because of tonsilitis.

“We had none of the start we wanted with these euros due to illness, but we are lucky to be here today.

«It shows what can happen in life. In the end we had good news.»