Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati fractures leg in training accident

Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati is set for a spell out after fracturing her leg in training while on international duty with Spain.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said Bonmati, 27, had suffered a fracture to her left fibula after landing awkwardly during a “chance incident” in training.

The three-time Ballon d’Or winner underwent tests on Sunday which confirmed her diagnosis. She will return to Barcelona to begin her recovery and will miss the second leg of the Nations League final against Germany on Tuesday.

Bonmati started the first leg of the Nations League final in Germany on Friday, which finished in a 0-0 draw. Spain are attempting to defend the title they won in 2024 in the return leg at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on Tuesday.

Her injury comes ahead of a run of five games in December for Barcelona before Liga F’s winter break. The Spanish champions play Tenerife and Levante in the league, Benfica and Paris FC in the league phase of the Champions League, and Alaves in the Copa de la Reina before the end of the year.

Barcelona are six points clear at the top of Liga F after winning 11 of their opening 12 league matches, and also top the Champions League standings with 10 points from four matches.

Bonmati has provided six goals and three assists in Liga F this season. She was named the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner in September, becoming the first woman to win the award for a third consecutive time.

The midfielder was also named player of the tournament at the 2025 European Championship this summer, despite missing the beginning of the tournament following a viral meningitis diagnosis, as Spain reached the final but were beaten on penalties by England.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

Barcelona, Spain, Women's Soccer

2025 The Athletic Media Company