Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati set to miss five months after undergoing surgery on broken leg | OneFootball

Aug 27, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; FC Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati (14) dribbles against Bay FC during the second half at Paypal Park. Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Barcelona have suffered a massive blow as Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati is expected to miss the majority of the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on a broken leg.

Bonmati suffered the injury during training ahead of Spain’s Nations League final decider against Germany.

Barcelona have confirmed that Bonmati has undergone a successful surgery, but the expected recovery time means that Bonmati faces a race to be fit for the business end of the season.

It also makes it unlikely that Bonmati will be able to win the Ballon d’Or trophy for the fourth season in a row.

Barcelona confirm Aitana Bonmati will be out for five months

In a statement on social media, Barcelona wrote: “First-team player Aitana Bonmatí has undergone successful surgery for the fracture of her left fibula.

“This surgery was performed by Dr. Antoni Dalmau at the Hospital de Barcelona, under the supervision of the club’s Medical Services.

“The expected recovery time will be around five months.”

Bonmati’s season could potentially be over given that timeframe, though the Spanish midfielder will hope to return to help Barcelona succeed in the Liga F and Women’s Champions League.

The 27-year-old suffered a broken leg after an awkward fall in training over the weekend. Bonmati played in the first-leg of the Nations League final against Germany on Friday, but will miss the return leg on Tuesday, with the score level at 0-0.

There was initial hope that she might just miss two months if a surgery was not required. However, the injury was serious enough for Bonmati to undergo an operation.

How could Bonmati’s absence affect Barcelona?

Bonmati’s injury adds to those of Patri Guijarro and Kika Nazareth, who are also unlikely to feature again this calendar year.

Laia Aleixandri, who joined from Manchester City in the summer, will likely move into midfield from defence in the coming games. Youngsters, including Vicky Lopez and Sydney Schertenleib, will also be pushing for places.

Barcelona will still be expected to romp away with the Liga F title, as they hold a six-point lead at the top of the standings.

The big question is how Bonmati’s absence will affect Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League.

Bonmati’s injury timeframe means she could only be back in time for the final on May 22nd in Oslo. Barcelona look good to advance to the quarter-finals from the League Phase, though Bonmati would be a big loss when the tournament reaches the quarter and semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Bonmati has also been in the news last week after calling for changes to Liga F. Bonmati criticised the Spanish league, while praising the English Women’s Super League.