Ronald Araujo set to miss World Cup with thigh injury

Barcelona have confirmed that Ronald Araujo will undergo surgery on a thigh injury later this week, and he is set to miss this winter's World Cup.

The defender picked up the problem in Uruguay's friendly defeat to Iran and returned to Catalonia for further examinations.

And Barcelona confirmed on Monday that the injury will require surgery, with a statement reading: "The first team player Ronald Araujo will undergo surgery on Wednesday for the adductor longus tendon avulsion he has in his right thigh. The operation will be carried out by Dr. Lasse Lempainen, under the supervision of the Club’s medical staff, in Turku, Finland. When the operation is completed there will be another medical statement.

"The injury was sustained by the player on international duty during the game between Iran and Uruguay in which the player was forced off the field after five minutes of the match. Ronald Araujo has made seven appearances for the first team in the current 2022/23 season."

Reports in Spain insist Araujo could miss up to three months of action, and while it was not explicit in Barcelona's statement, he will miss Uruguay's World Cup campaign.

There has been more positive news regarding Jules Kounde however, with the centre-back's hamstring injury not thought to be as serious as first feared. He's still facing a race against time to be fit for next month's Clasico with Real Madrid, but he should return in time for the World Cup with France.