2 hours ago
1
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati is expected to be out for five months after having surgery on a broken leg.
The 27-year-old fell awkwardly during a practice session with her national side on Sunday.
She had been at the national team's training base in Madrid, preparing for Tuesday's second leg of their Uefa Women's Nations League final against Germany.
After the injury, Barcelona said they were waiting for her to return so they could decide on treatment.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the club said Bonmati had undergone surgery and the expected recovery time would be five months.
Such an absence would keep her out for almost all of the rest of the season, with Barcelona's last league game scheduled for 31 May.
The Women's Champions League final takes place on the previous weekend.
This year, Bonmati became the first player to win the women's Ballon d'Or three times - with the award presented annually to the player voted the world's best by a panel of journalists.
She was also named the Champions League's player of the season by Uefa.
Bonmati won a 2024-25 domestic treble with Barcelona and reached the Euro 2025 final with Spain.
Elizabeth Conway, BBC Sport Spanish football reporter
Aitana Bonmati's injury is a significant blow for Barcelona. The midfielder, Barca's captain, has played 15 games this season, starting 13, scoring six goals and providing three assists.
Her absence adds to a growing injury list that includes key midfielders Patri Guijarro, sidelined until at least January, and Kika Nazareth, who is out for three weeks. Winger Salma Paralluelo is also unavailable until January, while forward Ewa Pajor remains sidelined with a knee problem, with a return expected in December.
With Bonmati likely to be out until May, Barca are left with limited options in midfield and attack for the next few months.
Barca are top of Liga F, six points clear of Real Sociedad Femenino - but with several of their most influential players recovering from injury, coach Pere Romeu will have to adjust tactics and rely on less experienced options.
Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed
