Morale reboot! Araujo close to return – defender could feature against Espanyol
Steven Perez
Dailysports's expert
Ronald Araujo is ready to get back on the pitch.
Details: According to Diario AS, Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo is on the verge of making his return after a break taken for psychological reasons. The Uruguayan had been sidelined indefinitely following the Champions League clash with Chelsea, where he started but was sent off before halftime and subsequently faced fierce criticism.
The defender confided in the club that he was experiencing emotional burnout and a lack of confidence, and requested time to recover. Barcelona’s management supported his decision and gave him space to recuperate.
During his break, Araujo went on a spiritual journey to Israel, choosing to lean on his faith. According to club sources, this step proved beneficial for the player.
The plan is for the defender to rejoin first-team training on December 29, after the Christmas holidays. Before being cleared for match action, he will undergo a medical examination. If there are no setbacks, Araujo could be included in the squad for the Catalan derby against Espanyol, set for January 3 at 21:00 Central European Time.
It’s worth noting that this season the Uruguayan has played fifteen matches for the Catalans, scoring twice.
Reminder: Barcelona could have been expelled from the UEFA Champions League due to the Negreira case.
