Aitana Bonmatí Confirms Persistent Ankle Pain, Vows to Prioritise Health Over Short-Term Gain

Aitana Bonmatí, the Barcelona and Spain midfielder who has won the Ballon d’Or three times, has revealed that the pain in her previously operated ankle is not simply “adaptive” as she was initially told. Speaking at the closing ceremony of her summer campus in Sant Pere de Ribes, the 28-year-old said she will start the new season “little by little” and will not play through pain that requires painkillers.

The admission comes after Mundo Deportivo exclusively reported that Bonmatí had been experiencing discomfort in her ankle. The player confirmed the story and offered a detailed account of her summer, highlighting the physical toll of returning from a serious injury.

A cautious return after persistent pain

Bonmatí explained that when she returned to action after surgery, she was told the pain was a normal adaptive process. “The pain is still there,” she said. “I will have to go from less to more and see what the year brings us, with a World Cup in summer. I’m going to go slowly because my health is the first thing and I want to play many more years.”

She described a summer spent undergoing tests, using magnetotherapy, exogen therapy, Indiba, and other treatments alongside Barça’s medical staff and her personal trainer. “If my life is with pain, I don’t want to play, because the pain when playing is multiplied,” she stated. She added that she ended last season injecting Voltaren (diclofenac) to manage the pain and that she could not complete some training sessions.

Bonmatí made clear that this is not a cause for alarm. “Everything is fine on MRIs and X-rays, but when you have a serious injury, sometimes there are consequences and everything takes a little longer, but nothing out of the ordinary.” She stressed that she has spoken with the club and they are aligned on a cautious approach.

Loyalty to Barça amid offers from top clubs

Bonmatí also addressed speculation about offers from other major clubs, mentioning that Lyon and Chelsea had tried to sign her in previous seasons. “Important clubs came for me, but I have always been clear about where my home is,” she said. “After 14 years, this will be my 15th, and I have the same enthusiasm as the first day.”

She reflected on her changing role within the squad. “Years ago I was the girl who wanted to make a place in the first team and had many dreams. Now I’m no longer a girl, I’m a woman, and I still have dreams, but my role is different. I also enjoy seeing the young ones come up and want to eat the world.” She described her duty to help them understand that the path is not easy.

Bonmatí praised the Barça model, saying it remains unique and that the club’s philosophy has allowed it to keep winning despite losing players. “Each player is free to decide her own path. Our job is to continue being Barça. We have a unique style and model. I have seen many players come and go, but Barça has always been Barça.”

Campus success and a love for the grassroots

The event at her home town of Sant Pere de Ribes saw Bonmatí hand out diplomas to around 120 children. She expressed happiness that the campus has grown internationally, with participants from across Spain and even other countries. “People from all over the world come to my campus. I always explain that this is the field where I started playing football, and it is very special for me.”

She also gave her opinion on the men’s Ballon d’Or, naming Rodri, Messi, and Cubarsí as candidates, praising Cubarsí’s World Cup performance as comparable to Cannavaro’s winning campaign.

What this means for Barcelona and the upcoming season

For Barcelona fans, Bonmatí’s frankness about her ankle is both reassuring and concerning. The club begins its defence of the Liga F title and pushes for another Champions League run, with a World Cup in 2027 also on the horizon. Having their most influential player manage minutes carefully could affect rotation and tactics. Head coach Pere Romeu will need to plan for a gradual reintroduction.

Bonmatí’s loyalty statement offers stability. While top European clubs continue to circle, she has made it clear that she intends to stay at Barça, where she has won everything. The message to younger players in the squad is equally important: patience and hard work are still required to succeed at the highest level.

Source: Mundo Deportivo – “Aitana: ‘Vinieron clubs importantes a por mí, pero siempre he tenido claro cuál es mi casa'” (https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20260725/1004210120/aitana-vinieron-clubs-importantes-mi-siempre-he-tenido-claro-mi-casa.html)