Aitana Bonmatí Explains Reasons Behind Her Pause
The Barcelona midfielder says she paused her season to treat lingering pain from last year's leg injury and is targeting a return by the Arsenal Champions League tie.
Aitana Bonmatí has explained why she paused her season before it began, telling ESPN that the decision followed months of playing through pain after last term's serious leg injury.
The Barcelona midfielder reappeared in May from that injury and played through the run-in and the summer with Spain before deciding, together with the club, to stop and treat the problem at its source rather than manage it match by match.
She is not putting a firm date on her return but is eyeing the Champions League fixture against Arsenal on 11 November, at the Spotify Camp Nou.
The Clásico against Real Madrid on 4 October comes too soon to rule out entirely.
Barcelona have reshaped the squad since last season, losing Alexia Putellas, Mapi León and Salma Paralluelo and bringing in Kerolin, Renee van Asten and Martina Fernández. Bonmatí, 28, said she has no doubts about the team's ability to defend the Champions League title against Paris FC.
Having won three consecutive Ballons d'Or, she also addressed her absence from this year's shortlist, saying it is normal not to feature after missing so much of the year, and that she hopes to be back in contention.
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