National team manager admits responsibility for Barcelona star’s injury scare – ‘There is something wrong’
· Yahoo Sports
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is truly underway, and two Barcelona players, Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha, have already played their first games with their respective nations.
Tonight, Spain are set to take on Cape Verde, and La Roja have a significant Barça contingent. Uruguay are another team who play tonight but will have to do so without Ronald Araujo.
The Barcelona defender has been dealing with calf discomfort suffered during a Uruguay training session.
As quoted by Mundo Deportivo, Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa addressed the situation and accepted a degree of responsibility for the setback.
He said: “In the last six months Araujo had no muscle injury and if a player tears something while training, there is something wrong.”
Araujo is dealing with a calf problem. (Photo by Guillermo Legaria/Getty Images)
Araujo’s injury history means any physical problem, even a minor one, immediately becomes a concern for both club and country.
Uruguay defend Barcelona treatment trip
Araujo recently made an unusually rapid trip to Spain to receive treatment from trusted medical professionals, a decision that raised eyebrows because of the travel involved so close to the tournament.
Bielsa defended that move clearly. He said:
“Araujo works with people he trusts a lot, all decisions are agreed with those people and with Araujo. We feel responsible and we could not have done anything different from what we did.”
Uruguay and Bielsa seem keen on allowing players to make decisions like these based on what and whom they trust, and that is what they did with Araujo.
Araujo will be unavailable for Uruguay’s WC opener. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The Barça club captain flew to Spain to receive treatment before flying back to link up with the rest of his teammates at the training camp.
Barcelona will want caution
Araujo is hugely important for Uruguay, but Barcelona will hope there is no unnecessary risk in the opening match.
The defender’s power, aggression and speed make him one of the best in the world when fully fit.
They also make muscle issues a common theme, especially considering he is expected to play at right-back for Uruguay.
If there is even slight doubt, Uruguay should manage him carefully. Araujo has a long tournament ahead, and Barcelona have an even longer season waiting after it.
Bielsa’s honesty is welcome. Now the priority must be simple: protect the player, avoid a setback and make sure Araujo returns to the pitch only when his body is ready.