Ronald Araújo had an intense duel with Vinícius in the classic this past Sunday at the Camp Nou that ended with Barça’s victory over Real Madrid. The Uruguayan, who played as a right-back, was present both in defence, especially to contain the Brazilian, and in attack, for example in the play for the first Blaugrana goal. An effort that ended up taking its toll in the form of muscle discomfort.
The defender finished the game and was not substituted, but this Monday the Barcelona club announced that Araújo has suffered an injury to the left thigh adductor. This physical setback will prevent him from participating in the two friendlies against Japan and South Korea that the sky-blue team will play in Tokyo and Seoul, respectively.
Araújo is an important piece in Barça’s defensive gear, which has only conceded nine goals in the League. One of the goals against, much to his regret, was from the Uruguayan at his own goal against the whites after deflecting a cross from Vinícius. Later he amended that bad luck with a very solid game, the umpteenth of this season.
This Monday the tests carried out by the medical services confirmed Araujo’s injury, although the Barça club has not given details about the recovery time. “He is low and his evolution will mark his availability,” reads the statement issued by the Barcelona team, which also has Pedri and Ousmane Dembélé out due to injury. Barça’s next matches will be against Elche at home and the second leg of the Cup semifinals against Madrid, again at the Camp Nou.
Araújo underwent surgery last September for an avulsion of the adductor longus tendon of the right thigh and was out for more than three months, which prevented him from playing in the last World Cup in Qatar. During his time at Barça, the center-back has been prone to injuries, most of them muscular, which kept him out for weeks.
