Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo with Hansi Flick.

Barcelona can recover key defender sooner than previously expected

Photo Credit: The Official Website of FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona has not had an easy time with injury problems at this early phase of the 2024-25 season. The Catalans have seen some of their most important players suffer serious injuries, but luckily, Hansi Flick has been able to guide his team to a string of good results despite not having his best troops at hand.

However, there is relief in sight for the German tactician, as several players can make their returns from the infirmary after the end of this international break.

Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez are both expected to return to the field when club football resumes, while Frenkie de Jong, who has already played some minutes after recovering from his injury, will also regain his full sharpness. Gavi is also expected to start making the squad list for the upcoming few matches after spending almost a full year on the sidelines.

After them, SPORT reports that the next player in line to return to the pitch will be the defender Ronald Araujo. He was injured while playing for Uruguay in the 2024 Copa America and had to undergo surgery to recover from the injury to his hamstring of the right thigh.

After this successful surgery, it was expected that the defender would return to the pitch by December. But the Uruguayan has been working tirelessly on his recovery, under the close supervision of Hansi Flick.

This hard work seems to be paying off as the defender can make his return to the pitch a few weeks earlier than expected and can be available for Flick after the November international break. However, the German tactician will not take any risks with such an important defender, even though he has already praised him for his excellent character and influence in the dressing room.

But even if he returns in November, he will need to readapt to the playing field in the month of December. But he could be truly back for Barcelona in January, a month in which the Catalans will have a quite packed schedule with matches in La Liga, UEFA Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, and Copa del Rey.

Tags Ronald Araujo