Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmati is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after the club confirmed she will miss around five months following surgery on a broken leg. The 27-year-old midfielder suffered the injury during a training session with Spain on Sunday as the national team prepared for the second leg of the Women’s Nations League final against Germany.
The injury comes at a difficult moment for the Ballon d’Or–winning playmaker, who revealed in a personal message that she had been feeling physically and mentally drained by the demands of elite football. Writing on social media, Bonmati said the operation “went well” and described the setback as a moment of forced pause after a period of exhaustion.
“Now it’s time to regenerate physically and mentally,” she said. “Elite football takes you to the limit in all aspects, and there were factors that were preventing me from enjoying the profession and the day-to-day. I actually thought about putting the brakes on, but didn’t — and life just stopped at a halt. With this lesson I face what comes convinced that it will be a learning experience.”
Barcelona later confirmed the expected recovery timeline, ruling Bonmati out until May — a period that covers almost the entire remainder of the season. The Spanish champions’ final league match is scheduled for 31 May, while the Women’s Champions League final takes place the weekend before. Her absence therefore likely ends her involvement in both competitions.
Bonmati’s injury is the latest setback in what has become an increasingly difficult campaign for Barcelona’s midfield and attacking depth. The club is already without several first-team players, including Patri Guijarro, sidelined until at least January, and Kika Nazareth, who is expected to miss three weeks. Winger Salma Paralluelo is also unavailable until January, while star forward Ewa Pajor remains out with a knee injury, though she is expected to return in December.
BBC Sport’s Spanish football reporter Elizabeth Conway described Bonmati’s absence as a “significant blow” for Barcelona, noting her influential role both on and off the pitch as captain. Bonmati has played 15 games this season, starting 13 of them and contributing six goals and three assists. Her creativity, pressing energy and leadership have been central to Barca’s style of play, especially in big games.
Despite their injury troubles, Barcelona sit six points clear at the top of Liga F, ahead of Real Sociedad Femenino. Maintaining that gap, however, will require tactical adjustments from head coach Pere Romeu, who must now rely heavily on younger or less-experienced squad members to carry the midfield load. With multiple stars recovering simultaneously, rotation will become essential — but options remain noticeably thin.
Bonmati’s absence also casts a shadow over Barcelona’s Champions League ambitions. Having been named UEFA’s Player of the Season last year and instrumental in Barca’s treble-winning campaign, her influence in Europe has long been considered irreplaceable. Her injury leaves a major void at the heart of the team’s control and progression play.
The midfielder’s individual achievements in 2025 had already cemented her place among the greatest players of her generation. In September, Bonmati became the first player — male or female — to win the Ballon d’Or Féminin three times. She also helped guide Spain to the Euro 2025 final and earned widespread acclaim for her performances throughout the domestic and European club season.
For Barcelona, the immediate priority will be adapting quickly to life without their captain. For Spain, who narrowly missed out on the Nations League title earlier this week, Bonmati’s absence will also be felt as they look ahead to future fixtures.
But for Bonmati herself, the coming months mark what she calls a “new challenge.” Her message suggests she views the rehabilitation period not just as physical recovery, but as a chance to reset from the relentless demands of elite football. Given her track record, few doubt she will return as influential as ever — but for now, Barcelona will have to navigate without their brightest star.
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