FC Barcelona’s injury-prone international break just took a turn for the worse as CB Ronald Araújo prepares for thigh surgery.
Araújo left an international friendly between IR Iran and Uruguay just five minutes into the game on Friday, grabbing at his right upper thigh.
Team doctors confirmed the worst today, announcing Araújo’s decision to have surgery on Wednesday.
“Ronald Araujo will undergo surgery on Wednesday for the adductor longus tendon avulsion he has in his right thigh. The operation will be carried out by Dr. Lasse Lempainen, under the supervision of the Club’s medical staff, in Turku, Finland.”
With El Clásico only three weeks away and the 2022 World Cup less than two months away, it seems unlikely the Uruguyan shot-stopper will return for either competition. The expected recovery time runs from 2-3 months.
Undoubtedly, Araújo will push to recover by November 24 when Uruguay takes on South Korea in Qatar – but only time will tell.
It’s a massive blow to Xavi’s Catalonian defense, who lost Frenchman Jules Kounde to an international injury over the weekend, as well. While the extent of Kounde’s knock is unknown at the time of writing, FCB released updates today on Dutch stars Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong, also hurt over the weekend.
“Tests carried out today have confirmed hamstring injuries for both Frenkie de Jong and Memphis.
Midfielder Frenkie de Jong has an elongation of the semitendinosus muscle in his left thigh. He is not available for selection and his recovery will dictate his return.
Striker Memphis has an injury to the biceps femoris muscle in his left thigh. He is not available for selection and his recovery will dictate his return.”
Araújo, De Jong, Depay, and possibly Kounde will be missing from the line-up when Barca returns to LaLiga action this Saturday against an upstart Mallorca.
Featured Image: Pexels/Alessia Marzotto/FCBarcelona/DM
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