Barcelona star to be sidelined for at least 4 months as surgery confirmed | OneFootball

A leading member of the defensive ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona is in line for a lengthy upcoming period on the sidelines.

That’s according to Barca insider Toni Juanmartí of Diario Sport, who points towards Ronald Araújo as the player in question.

Stopper Araújo, for his part, is fresh off suffering a new injury blow.

Lining out for Uruguay at the Copa América, the 25-year-old was forced into a premature departure from his country’s eventual quarter-final victory over Brazil.

Concern immediately spread surrounding Araújo’s wellbeing, with the defender having been in clear distress on his way from the field of play.

After remaining with the Uruguayan squad for the remainder of their Copa adventure, he has since returned to Catalunya’s capital, to undergo medical tests.

And, unfortunately for those of a Barcelona persuasion, such examinations have revealed the worst.

As per a statement across the Blaugrana’s website and social media platforms:

‘Tests carried out at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper have shown that the first team player Ronald Araujo has a tendon injury in his right hamstring.

‘In the coming days he will undergo a surgical procedure at the hands of Dr. Lasse Lempainen, under the supervision of the Club’s medical staff, in Turku, Finland. When the procedure has been completed, there will be another medical update.’

Turning attentions towards player’s recovery timeline, the aforementioned Toni Juanmartí suggests that Araújo will be sidelined for at least four months, therefore expected to miss ‘approximately 14 league games and another five Champions League games’.

Conor Laird | GSFN