Aitana Bonmati was hospitalised with illness just weeks before England Euro 2025 final

From a hospital bed to a Euro 2025 final, it's been quite the month for Spain star Aitana Bonmati. Earlier this month, the Barcelona women's midfielder was pictured with her arm strapped to a cannula while her team-mates played against Japan in a warm-up match for the tournament in Switzerland.

Fast forward three weeks to Wednesday night, and Bonmati was reeling away in celebration after her extra-time goal against Germany. With just seven minutes left, she fired home from a tight angle to send Spanish supporters into raptures. The strike sealed a 1-0 win and set her side up for a final clash with England on Sunday in Basel.

Bonmati is a certain starter for Sunday's game, as Spain look to complete a historic treble after their World Cup triumph two years ago and 2024 Nations League win. It's a remarkable turnaround for a player who some fans doubted would be able to play any part in the campaign.

The 27-year-old confirmed she had contracted viral meningitis on the eve of the competition. Her hospital admission was perceived to be a major blow to her side's campaign.

However, just six days after posting a photo from her sickbed, she featured in Spain's opening group-stage match. Appearing as a substitute against Portugal, she showed no ill effects from her ordeal as her side won 6-0.

Bonmati, who has made more than 300 appearances for Barca since debuting in the 2015/16 campaign, appears to have swiftly returned to her best. Following her strike against Germany, the two-time Ballon d'Or winner insisted she didn't doubt her own powers of recovery.

"I was confident in my mentality and my physical situation," she said. "I wanted to get to this game ( the semi-final) at my best level."

Bonmati has won 83 caps for Spain, scoring 31 times. In 2024, she became the first female footballer to win the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year.