Invent a new right wing
During the warm-up, an unusual sensation appeared in the county’s muscles. Ronald Araujo managed to complete a full 90 minutes on the opening match day against Getafe, stepping into a fresh role as right-back and taking Xavi Koundé’s place at center-back. As Barcelona prepared for their Montjuïc debut, the Uruguayan defender reported a problem described by the club as a “injury to the femoral biceps of the left leg.”
Specific recovery time wasn’t disclosed, but early estimates pointed to a roughly one-month layoff. Barcelona chose not to overstate details about Araujo’s condition, stating that “his progression will determine his availability.”
Invent a new right wing
The absence of Araujo left Xavi without the same option on the right flank used in the season opener against Getafe, which finished in a draw. With Araujo sidelined and Raphinha suspended for two matches by the governing body, the coach faced a pressing challenge to assemble a solution for Sunday. The Uruguayan had previously endured similar muscular issues last season.
Earlier, he had suffered multiple injuries, the most significant being a rupture of the long adductor tendon of the right thigh during a training session with the Uruguay national team at the end of September. The rupture occurred in the opening minute of a friendly against Iran, a setback that disrupted the preseason plans.
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Ronald Araujo sustained a femoral biceps injury to his left leg. The duration of his absence and the progression of his recovery will determine his availability.
– FC Barcelona official communications –
Reports indicated about 70 days away from action and a total of 16 matches missed during the period, triggering debate even within the Uruguayan federation, which called the player to the World Cup but the club ultimately did not field him. The situation spurred discussions about whether the defender would be ready for Qatar and the national team’s schedules. Barcelona’s plan envisaged a return after the league’s break, with the expectation that Araujo would be back in time for critical fixtures. The club outlined that the sequence of upcoming matches would influence the timing of his reintegration, including matches against Cádiz and Villarreal, as well as Osasuna on the following trip. Xavi hoped Araujo would be available to face Betis at Montjuïc in the first home game after the break, creating a pivot for the team’s defensive and width strategies.