Similar to the excitement of Santa Claus coming to town once every year with a sack of presents to deliver down the chimney, one burst of excitement, or rather burst of emotion far from excitement for Barcelona Femení fans is 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧 𝗠𝗘̀𝗗𝗜𝗖. Mostly typed in bold accompanied by a bright red emoji such as exclamation marks or a giant X and released on official club social media platforms, 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧 𝗠𝗘̀𝗗𝗜𝗖 translates from Catalan into “medical release.” Meaning, one or more players on the squad has sustained an injury, or more rarely and less common, one or more players on the squad has the green light to return from injury. Although unlike Santa Claus, every time a notification saying “comunicat médic” appears on phone and computer screens alike, the gift of surprise is unwanted. And in seemingly a picture perfect ending to cap off a glorious 2023/24 campaign, one of Blaugranagram’s editors has highlighted the negative effects on domestic Liga F not properly communicating with FIFA regarding overworked scheduling for club and country. Article can be found here:
FIFA didn’t consult Liga F on new international calendar, and Barça Femení players are suffering because of it
Less than two weeks since winning it all, two of Spain’s key internationals and Barcelona cornerstones Aitana Bonmatí and Ona Batlle have had to withdraw from international qualifying matches vs Denmark due to injury. Or in more painful familiar terms, comunicat médic. Batlle, who is a defender, hustled her heart out during the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final coming on as a substitute, and ironically had to be substituted out after receiving a nasty gash to the face in action. With a few stitches on the cheek and a cheeky bandaid wrap for protection, she finished the match like a soldier and lifted the trophy like a champion.
Because the transition from club competitiveness with Barcelona to jumping into EURO 2025 qualifying rounds with country are so rapid, Batlle was withdrawn from Spain’s national team camp on May 29th, before facing Denmark. She was replaced by newcomer Nerea Nevado of Athletic Club Bilbao. Reasons were cited as “Physical problems derived from the blow to the face she suffered in the Champions League final” (@BarcaNotes). Evidently sometimes too much is more than enough, and we hope that gash heals fast and Ona heals properly. Along with Batlle, fresh from the UWCL final, Barça teammates Mariona Caldentey, Irene Paredes, Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas, Jana Fernández, Salma Paralluelo, Vicky López, Cata Coll, and Bruna Vilamala were also called to international duty. Without proper rest and recovery with so much physical and mental strain, it comes as no surprise that several days later, another “comunicat médic” surfaced. This time it was the 2023 Ballon D’or Winner, Aitana Bonmatí. Aitana was a crucial stepping stone in securing victory for Barcelona against Lyon in the UWCL Final, scoring the first goal. Fans moaned in exasperation and fear hearing the news, knowing that their players deserve better treatment from federations, leagues, and FIFA scheduling.
Bonmatí’s “comunicat médic” came on June 3rd, when Spain had already beaten Denmark 2-0 in sweeping fashion. As stated, and translated, “The tests carried out have confirmed that the first team player Aitana Bonmatí has an injury to the adductor of the right thigh. It is low and its evolution will mark her availability” (@FCBFemeni). With two tangible injured individuals out for the foreseeable future, FC Barcelona must tread carefully in their June matches, including a far away visiting trip to Mexico for exhibitions against Chivas Femenil. Not to forget, the Olympics follow in July. Blaugranagram will be around to cover all summer.
