Fitness problems have kept several FC Barcelona players from contributing fully to the team this season. Important players like Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, Kounde, Raphinha, etc., have all missed games with injuries, while Pedri is once again injured after having returned from a spell on the sidelines only a few weeks ago.
The defender Ronald Araujo has also missed some games due to injury and could have missed some more if not for his commitment and passion for the Catalan club.
He suffered a jaw fracture in the match against Atletico Madrid, but decided to keep playing in the ensuing matches, thus putting the club’s interests even before his own health.
The defender had played for Barcelona in their official matches against Girona, Valencia, and Almeria despite the fracture, but Xavi allowed him to miss the friendly against Club America in Dallas.
Now, SPORT reports that the player will undergo a test on his jaw this Friday, and aims to return fully recovered to the club after his Christmas holidays. If everything goes well, he will be able to play the upcoming matches without the protective mask that he had to wear to avoid further strain on his jaw.
The Uruguayan has been spending the last few days with his family, enjoying his Christmas holidays, and by the time the match against Las Palmas comes, he will no longer have to wear the mask.
This is Araujo’s fifth season at Barcelona, and he has already become the third captain at the club, behind Ter Stegen and Sergi Roberto. In his 9,631 minutes in 129 official matches for Barcelona, Araujo has scored eight goals, provided three assists, and got 23 yellow and two red cards.
He is one of the players most liked by the fans in the current Barcelona squad. The passion and commitment that he shows for the club in every match, coupled with his skills and importance for the team, make him deserving of all this love from the club’s fans.
