Spain's Bonmati aiming to return better than ever after leg break

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By Philip O'Connor

Jan 19 : Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati is taking a philosophical approach to her recovery from a broken leg sustained in December, welcoming the time away from the game but warning opponents she planned to come back better than ever. 

Speaking to reporters from the International Sports Press Association on Monday, the 28-year-old midfield schemer said her recovery was going well and that she was enjoying the rest but that she wants to get back to winning as soon as possible.

"I expect to recover well from my injury and come back the best I can," Bonmati said. "In my mind, I want to come back better than I was before, and I'm taking this time to stay calm and to recover the energy." 

Originally given a five-month prognosis for her return, Bonmati declined to say when she would be fit to play again, but she seemed relaxed and confident as she answered questions in Spanish and English.

"I don't have the exact date, because neither the doctors nor the physios have it. I think we go according to the deadlines, and we just have to see how it evolves," she said.

Bonmati revealed that she was enjoying the pause from playing, spending time with friends and family and reading books about World War Two in between treatments, rehab and lessons to improve her English, and that the opportunity to take a mental as well as a physical break was a welcome one. 

"The sports life, it's so intense, and you never have time to stop - not only to stop the body, but also the mind, because it's hard," she said. 

AIPS journalists voted Bonmati the best female athlete of 2025 ahead of Kenyan distance runner Beatrice Chebet, and it was a year with plenty of ups and downs for the Spaniard. 

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