Aitana Bonmatí’s Remarkable Comeback
In a remarkable comeback story, Aitana Bonmatí expressed her joy to ESPN after being awarded MVP following Spain’s 2-0 victory against Switzerland in the quarterfinals of the European Championship. At just 27 years old, the midfielder’s performance shone brightly, particularly her creative back heel that set up Spain’s opening goal, advancing the team to a semifinal clash against Germany this Wednesday in Zurich.
Overcoming Adversity
Bonmatí’s achievement is especially poignant considering she was hospitalized with viral meningitis only days prior to the tournament, casting doubt on her ability to compete. Reflecting on her journey, she revealed,
“Three weeks ago I was in a hospital bed, and just a few days later I was back on the field, going from one match to another, and then playing two full 90-minute games.”
Her determination and resilience have been key themes in her career, with Bonmatí stating,
“It speaks volumes about my commitment to the team. I’m ambitious, and as long as I am healthy, I don’t want to miss out on anything.”
She described her experience with meningitis as unexpectedly difficult, emphasizing the need to maintain a positive outlook despite the challenges:
“It was tough because the Euros only offer a maximum of six matches. But I focused on handling the situation as well as I could.”
Aiming for Glory
Aiming for Spain’s first-ever finals appearance in the Euro tournaments, Bonmatí credited her resilient mindset for reaching elite levels in football.
“I prefer not to label myself as strong; after all, we all face struggles. It’s about how you confront them because adversity is a part of life. The way I navigate these moments is what distinguishes me from others,”
she explained.
In her MVP recognition against Switzerland, she made history, becoming the first female player to earn this honor in knockout rounds across the Champions League, Euros, and World Cup.
“This makes me very proud. I’ve worked tirelessly to be at this level and to remain there; that’s the real challenge,”
Bonmatí noted.
Dedication and Ambition
Her dedication is reflected in her recent status as the player with the highest number of games played worldwide over the last five to six years.
“That indicates a lot about my work ethic and how I approach football,”
she said. Bonmatí is driven by an unyielding ambition to maintain her performance standards and compete at the highest level consistently.
“Right now, I am entirely focused on delivering my best for Spain. If we all put our best effort into the team, that’s when we can achieve unstoppable performance,”
she added.
Future Aspirations
Having achieved significant success, including 25 trophies with FC Barcelona, multiple Champions League titles, a World Cup, and a UEFA Nations League, Bonmatí still yearns for the elusive Euro title – a trophy yet to be clinched by Spain. If victorious, she envisions a unique museum in her hometown, Sant Pere de Ribes, to showcase her accolades alongside personal mementos from fans.
“I want to create a space where my story can be shared, not just my trophies but everything from fans that represents who I am as a person and my career achievements,”
she revealed.
With her eyes set on the upcoming matches, Bonmatí’s resolve and passion continue to inspire both teammates and fans alike.
