Ronald Araujo FINALLY set for comeback after Barcelona injury nightmare as Hansi Flick outlines plan for defender's reintroduction

The 25-year-old centre-back suffered the injury during Uruguay’s dramatic quarterfinal victory against Brazil, ruling him out for the remainder of the tournament. After consultations with Barcelona's medical staff, Araujo opted to undergo surgery to fix his torn left biceps femoral tendon.

Initially, Araujo’s recovery was projected to last around four months. However, his journey back to fitness extended well beyond the expected timeframe. Over recent weeks, he has ramped up his training intensity at Barcelona’s Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper facility. This progression included shifting focus from physiotherapy and gym-based rehabilitation to on-field exercises, signalling significant progress in his recovery process.

Flick has now confirmed that Araujo is fit and ready to make his competitive return in Sunday’s match against Leagens. Speaking about Araujo’s involvement, Flick said, “The plan is he will have his first minutes tomorrow. I cannot say if he will start. But the plan is that he will play some minutes. How long? We have to see. Maybe the first Xi but if he is not then he will play (from the bench). I think this is the next step. He is ready for that."

Beyond his return to action, Araujo's future at Barcelona has also been the subject of considerable speculation. With his current contract running until 2026, reports suggest the Catalan club is eager to secure an extension to solidify his role in the team. Meetings between Barcelona officials and Araujo’s representatives are expected to take place in the coming weeks to fend away interest from Manchester United and Bayern Munich. The club remains optimistic that he will finalize a contract extension before the end of the current season.