Ronald Araújo's wait to make his debut in 2024/25 is much closer to coming to an end. This Friday, Hansi Flick confirmed the date on which the 25-year-old defender will return to training with the rest of the squad, with specific loads to complete his physical recovery.
"Araújo will be with us on Sunday. Not 100% in training, but we will be able to incorporate him," explained the German coach. Ronald has not played since mid-July due to an injury to the hamstring tendon in his right thigh that forced him to undergo surgery, which means he has been out for four months.
The Barça matches in which Ronald Araújo could return
In this sense, the Barça technical staff will implement the same work plan as with Gavi and Frenkie de Jong: a couple of weeks of work with the group and residual minutes to gain experience. In principle, the matches against Las Palmas (November 30) and Mallorca (December 3) would be ideal for the '4' to return to action.
However, Flick avoided giving a specific date, as everything will depend on the sensations that the 'charrúa' leaves on his return to work. Araújo has been training on the field for a couple of weeks at the Ciutat Esportiva and promised to "come back like a bull." The center back could miss the rest of 2024 after undergoing surgery in Finland on July 22, but he has had a satisfactory recovery, shortening the deadlines planned for his return.
In December, Barça will have, in addition to Mallorca, four more rivals between the League (Betis, Leganés and Atlético de Madrid) and the Champions League (Borussia Dortmund), duels in which Rivera's player will try to add as many minutes as possible, as his objective is to fight for the position of Iñigo Martínez and Pau Cubarsí, both undisputed until now for the German coach.