Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí has told ESPN she has not played this season because she is still dealing with pain after breaking her leg last year.
Bonmatí, 28, returned to action in May after five months out, making seven appearances for Barça at the back end of the campaign, including coming off the bench in the Champions League final against OL Lyonnes.
She also featured twice for Spain in the summer, against England and Iceland, but she has taken a step back at the start of the new season to protect her career long-term.
“I had a serious injury last season,” Bonmatí told ESPN during an interview after announcing her new role as a Team Gatorade ambassador.
“In terms of all the tests and scans, everything is perfect, but there are some things which are uncontrollable, like the pain, right? It limits you.
“I was tired of living with the pain, not just playing and training, but in my daily life. So I took the decision with the club to follow an individual plan at the start of this season to return as soon as possible, above all, without pain.
“I don’t know if I will be back 100% clear of pain, I don’t know if it’s possible, but that’s what we’re working towards.”
Bonmatí says the plan is unrelated to the fact Spain will attempt to retain their crown at the World Cup next summer in Brazil.
“I’m not doing this for the World Cup,” she said. “[The World Cup] is very important for me and the team, but the precautions I am taking are to ensure I have a long career and am able to play the rest of my career as well as I can and without pain.”
There is no fixed date for Bonmatí’s return to the pitch, but she has Barça’s upcoming matches against Real Madrid (Oct. 4) and Arsenal (Nov. 11) at Spotify Camp Nou in mind.
“I hope to be back before the Arsenal game,” she said. “Playing Champions League games at Camp Nou is always special.
“[The Clásico?] I never say never. I hope to be back by then and be available for that game. I don’t have a return date, I can be honest about that, but there’s not long to go.”
Barça kick off their defence of the Champions League this week when they host Paris FC on Wednesday.
The Spanish champions have reached the final in each of the last six years, lifting the trophy four times, but Bonmatí warned winning the competition is not as simple as they have made it look. “It may seem easy [for Barça], I think we’ve made it seem as if it is, but that’s not the reality,” she said.
“The level is higher every year, but, to be honest, [I am not worried about other teams], no. I think we have a team to fight for every trophy; youngsters coming through with a lot of talent.
“We’ve made good signings and the base of the team is very good, but there are other teams that deserve respect. Arsenal have a great squad, as do Lyonnes and Chelsea.”
Despite Bonmatí’s confidence, there is more uncertainty around Barça this season following the departures of Alexia Putellas, Mapi León and Salma Paralluelo in the summer.
Kerolin, Renee van Asten and Martina Fernández are among the new arrivals, with several youngsters also being handed more responsibility, as part of a new look for the European champions.
“I wasn’t surprised because it’s natural that there are changes in football,” Bonmatí said when asked about the headline exits.
“It’s difficult to keep the same squad for many years. At the end of the day, everyone has their motives [for change] and you have to respect them.
“This squad was also criticised last year and we overcame everything and won the Champions League anyway. It’s the same battle every year. There will always be changes. It’s the law of football.
“For me, this year is a great opportunity. There are a lot of changes, but it’s a huge opportunity for this team.
“I don’t know if we’re favourites or not [in the Champions League], but I think teams have a certain respect for us because the team, despite the changes, doesn’t change our philosophy, our style or our ambition.”
