In what comes as a bitter blow, FC Barcelona confirmed earlier today that Ronald Araujo has sustained a thigh injury which is set to rule him out for the foreseeable future.
The 24-year-old defender is an integral member of Xavi’s team and having him sidelined will come as a big blow to the Blaugrana in the early part of the new season.
Matches Araujo could miss
Since the official confirmation of the injury, Javi Miguel of AS has come up with an update on the defender’s potential recovery time.
As per the reporter, Araujo could be out of action for at least a month, with the plan being to have him ready for the first UEFA Champions League clash in five weeks.
With a minimum of a month out on 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, teams will have a couple of weeks off due to the international break and there is hope that Araujo could return soon after that.
If he does not, the Uruguayan could further miss the home game against Real Betis on September 17, right before the Champions League group-stage opener.
Araujo had sustained a minor niggle right before the start of the season, during the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Tottenham and had asked to be taken off in the first half itself.
Having recovered from it, though, he started against Getafe this past weekend and had a fairly solid game.
Barcelona will be hoping that Araujo’s recovery time is not longer than what is anticipated and he is ready to return soon after the international break next month.