RONALD ARAUJO NEWS

Fitness improving Araujo continues to improve in his fitness but per reporter Sique Rodriguez, there are suggestions his national side will rush him back onto the pitch.

Impact Araujo has certainly been involved in training but mixed messages make determining his status a little harder. It is likely that the national team is trying to play some mind games with what is released to the press as it would be safest for Araujo to wait another week at least before playing. His name will be one to watch ahead of Thursday's match against South Korea.

NOVEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Still limited in training Araujo (thigh) was a limited participant during Sunday's training session ahead of Thursday's opener against South Korea, according to ESPN Argentina.

Impact Araujo is considered unlikely to play in the first two group stage games at the least as there's still plenty of work left to do in his recovery. Sebastian Coates and Jose Maria Gimenez figure to start at center-back until Araujo can challenge for a place.

NOVEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Training fully Araujo (thigh) took full part in training Friday, according to Javier Miguel of as.com.

Impact Araujo took part in full team training Friday, a good sign for his surprise return in the World Cup opener Thursday. The central defender was originally expected to miss closer to three months, but seems set for a return after just two, something that is reportedly causing major concern for his domestic side. Araujo, if healthy, would be a likely starter for the opener against South Korea.

NOVEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pictured in training Araujo (thigh) was pictured participating in training during a Sunday session with his national team.

Impact This doesn't guarantee anything about Araujo's fitness but is a big step in the right direction that he appears to be participating in the same exercised as everyone else. Uruguay's first game is Nov. 24 against South Korea, which gives him over a week to make further progress even if he's not strong enough for game one.

NOVEMBER 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Named to World Cup squad Araujo (thigh) was named to manager Diego Alonso's World Cup squad, it was announced Friday.

Impact Araujo still awaits clearance to play, which may not come until after the group stage or even longer depending on the prognosis. This news was still expected after early news that he'd done enough in recovery to continue rehab in Qatar, though don't expect him to play immediately. Instead, Jose Maria Gimenez and Sebastian Coates could anchor the defense while waiting for Araujo.

NOVEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Will travel for World Cup Araujo (thigh) has received clearance to travel with the Uruguayan national team to Qatar during the World Cup as he continues in his recovery, according to reporter Gerard Romero.

Impact There are still plenty of rumors floating around and while concrete details will emerge soon, Araujo isn't assured of playing by the group stage or in the knockout rounds just yet. So long as he doesn't exasperate the issue by rushing back to play in Qatar, Araujo has a big role to play for club and country whenever he's fit.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Makes reserve World Cup roster Araujo (thigh) was named to the long list for Uruguay's potential World Cup squad, it was announced Friday.

Impact Araujo was named in hopes of him recovering in time to travel to Qatar, but there's still no guarantee following his operation on an adductor injury in late-September. He should be available at club level after the World Cup regardless of whether or not he plays between November and December.

OCTOBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Barcelona hosts Celta before key games vs Inter and Madrid

Barcelona hosts Celta Vigo on Sunday needing to regain some winning momentum before critical matches against Inter Milan and Real Madrid over the coming week

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Araujo denies surgery prioritises Barcelona over Uruguay

Barcelona center back Ronald Araujo has defended his decision to undergo thigh surgery on Wednesday at the likely expense of missing the World Cup

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Operation confirmed by club Araujo will undergo surgery Wednesday on an adductor injury in his right thigh, his club confirmed Wednesday.

Impact Circling back on news from earlier in the day, Araujo's status has been confirmed by the Blaugrana. The majority of opinions have him as out until after the World Cup following a ten-week absence, but he's unlikely to completely discount his chances until the final squads are decided in mid-November. Regardless, he's unlikely to play for his club until the Dec. 31 match against Espanyol so the center-back depth chart should be some combination of Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen until Araujo makes his comeback.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Set for surgery Araujo has decided to undergo surgery on a torn adductor muscle in his right leg, according to MARCA. Official word from his club is expected in the near future as well.

Impact There are rivaling claims as to how long Araujo will be out, as the positive estimate from MARCA puts his absence at six weeks while AS expects him to miss 10 and the World Cup. Whichever turns out to be true, Araujo likely made the smart decision to prioritize his future over ruining his long-term health, as Ansu Fati and Paul Pogba have jeopardized in recent seasons by rushing their returns from various injuries. In his absence, Araujo's club will likely turn to Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde as the top center-back pairing with Hector Bellerin becoming the full-time right-back.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Worrying over World Cup Araujo (leg) is facing an absence of as little of seven-to-eight weeks or until 2023, according to Javi Miguel of AS.

Impact Araujo still awaits the official word from his club but it seems exceptionally likely a long-term absence is in his future, which would knock him out of a strong Uruguay side for the World Cup. Whether he's back by then or not, Jules Kounde is likely to start more frequently in the center of defense instead of on the right with support from Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Comes off injured during internationals Araujo was subbed out of Uruguay's international friendly against Iran on Friday in just the fifth minute after suffering an apparent leg injury.

Impact Araujo joins Barcelona teammates Memphis Depay, Jules Kounde and Frenkie de Jong in picking up injuries during the September international window, and he may be forced to miss a few matches once the club season resumes. Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen and Gerard Pique remain options in Barca's central defense if Araujo and Kounde are indeed out for the Mallorca clash on Oct. 1.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Keeps clean sheet in win Araujo kept a clean sheet with two interceptions made during Saturday's 3-0 win over Elche.

Impact Araujo has kept clean sheets in two straight league matches, which is a solid run even with a favorably easy schedule early in the season. This is something that could change over the next month, so keep an eye out for how Araujo and his teammates fair defensively when Inter Milan and Real Madrid loom in the coming weeks.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cádiz vs. Barcelona paused after fan suffers heart attack

Barcelona’s game at Cádiz was temporarily halted in the final minutes when a fan suffered a heart attack in the stands

SEPTEMBER 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Keeps clean sheet in draw Araujo kept a clean sheet with two tackles made (one won) during Saturday's scoreless draw with Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Araujo will likely spend much of this season at right-back as Sergino Dest was left out of the squad for this game. The signings of Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde also limit his chances in the middle even more, as Araujo appears to be the fourth-choice center-back but the top choice on the right.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

USMNT playing free and loose ahead of huge test vs. Uruguay

No longer facing the pressure of making the World Cup, the USMNT are having fun ahead of a test vs. Uruguay, Doug McIntyre writes.

JUNE 4, 2022

Wins two tackles in loss Araujo made two clearances and an interception in Sunday's 2-0 defeat against Villarreal. He also won two of three tackles in the match.

Impact Araujo became Barcelona's first-choice center back this season, but he's also capable of deputizing at right back if necessary. The 23-year-old tallied four goals and six clean sheets in 30 La Liga appearances (25 starts), and he also started four games in both the Champions League and Europa League. As veteran defensive leader Gerard Pique continues to get older, Araujo's importance to his team will only grow.

MAY 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting season finale Araujo (head) is in Barcelona's starting lineup for Sunday's clash against Villarreal.

Impact Araujo missed last weekend's draw with Getafe due to a head injury he suffered in the previous game against Celta Vigo, but he's back in the lineup in central defense from the start versus Villarreal.

MAY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out against Getafe Araujo (head) is not in Barcelona's match day squad or Sunday's clash against Getafe.

Impact Araujo was always unlikely to play Sunday after leaving Tuesday's win over Celta in an ambulance after a head injury. Clement Lenglet and Oscar Mingueza are the starting central defensive pairing against Getafe, and Araujo will hope to recover by the season finale next weekend.

MAY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Discharged from hospital Araujo (head) was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday morning, Barcelona have announced.

Impact Araujo suffered a serious-looking head injury against Celta Vigo on Tuesday, and he had to leave the pitch in an ambulance. He is out of the hospital now, but he will be a doubt for Sunday's clash against Getafe as he likely has to go through concussion protocols.

MAY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers head injury against Celta Araujo was taken out of Tuesday's victory over Celta Vigo in the 68th minute in an ambulance after colliding heads with his teammate Gavi. He made two blocks, a clearance and an in...

Impact Araujo suffered a potentially serious head injury on Tuesday, and he will be evaluated in the hospital to see how severe it is. Clement Lenglet replaced him in central defense in the game, and he could start against Getafe on Sunday if necessary as Gerard Pique (groin) is also likely out.

MAY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Extends contract with Barcelona Araujo has signed a four-year contract extension with Barcelona, the club announced Tuesday.

Impact Araujo has been Barcelona's best defender this season when fit, with six clean sheets and four goals in 29 combined starts in La Liga, the Champions League and the Europa League. The 23-year-old can play in central defense or fill in at right back, and he has just signed on with Barcelona through the 2025/26 season.

APRIL 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting against Rayo Araujo (knee) is in Barcelona's starting lineup for Sunday's clash against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Araujo suffered a knee injury against Real Sociedad on Thursday, but he has recovered enough to be back in the starting lineup alongside Eric Garcia in central defense on Sunday.

APRIL 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Comes off injured against Sociedad Araujo was subbed out of Thursday's victory against Real Sociedad in the 55th minute after suffering a knee injury, Barcelona confirmed after the game. He made six clearances and t...

Impact Araujo is undergoing further tests to determine the severity of his knee injury. Eric Garcia replaced him at center back Thursday and could do so once again at the weekend versus Rayo if necessary.

APRIL 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE