Barcelona has confirmed that Ronald Araujo will miss this winter’s World Cup after undergoing surgery for a hamstring injury later this week.
The defender, who was supposed to play a key role for Uruguay at the World Cup in November, is likely to miss the tournament after a lengthy layoff.
The defender took up the issue after Uruguay lost to Iran in a friendly match and returned to Catalonia for further investigation.
Barcelona’s statement and future plans
On Monday Barcelona released a statement confirming the injury would require surgery, “The first team player 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. When the operation is completed there will be another medical statement.”
“The injury was sustained by the player on international duty during the game between Iran and Uruguay in which the player was forced off the field after five minutes of the match. Ronald Araujo has made seven appearances for the first team in the current 2022/23 season.”
Araujo is expected to miss the World Cup with Uruguay, but the surgery will also add complications for Xavi, who has already failed to secure a summer contract at center-half for Jules Kounde due to a hamstring problem.
Spanish reports say Araujo could be out for up to three months and will miss Uruguay’s World Cup campaign, although Barcelona’s statement did not specifically mention it.
However, there was better news for Jules Kunde, as the center-back’s hamstring injury was not as serious as first feared. He’s still competing against time for next month’s Clasico against Real Madrid, although, he should be back in time for the World Cup against France.
Xavi’s side won five straight games before the international break and moved up to second in LaLiga behind leaders Real Madrid.
Araujo helped Barcelona set the best defensive record ever in the division, conceding just one goal in six games early in the season.