In what will come as a bitter blow, FC Barcelona confirmed earlier today that Ronald Araujo has picked up a thigh injury which is set to keep him out for the foreseeable future.
The 24-year-old defender is an integral member of Xavi’s team and his sideline would be a huge blow to Blaugrana in the early part of the new era.
Araujo may miss games
Since the official confirmation of the damage, Javi Miguel of AS there is an update on the defender’s potential recovery time.
According to the journalist, Araujo may not work for even a month, with the plan that he will be ready for the first match of the UEFA Champions League in five weeks.
With at least a month off the treatment tables expected for Araujo, he could now miss at least three matches for Barcelona in La Liga, which are as follows:
- Cadiz (H) – August 20, 2023
- Villarreal (A) – August 27, 2023
- Osasuna (A) – September 3, 2023
After the game against Osasuna, the teams will have two weeks off due to the international break and there is hope that Araujo will be back after that.
If he doesn’t, the Uruguayan could miss the home game against Real Betis on September 17, before the start of the Champions League group stage.
Araujo had a slight niggle before the start of the season, during the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Tottenham and asked to be taken off in the first half itself.
Having recovered from this, however, he started against Getafe last week and had a solid game.
Barcelona hope Araujo’s recovery time will not be longer than expected and he will be ready to return after the international break next month.