Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo will undergo surgery this week on his right thigh and is at risk of missing the World Cup, sources told ESPN.
The Uruguay international was injured in the first minutes of his country’s 1-0 defeat to Iran in a friendly match on Friday.
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Araujo has returned to Barcelona and tests have confirmed damage to the adductor longus tendon.
Barcelona said in statement: “First-team player Ronald Araujo will undergo surgery on Wednesday to dislocate the adductor muscle in his right thigh, which will be performed by Dr. Lassi Lampinen, under the supervision of the club’s medical staff, in Turku, Finland. When the operation is complete there will be another medical statement.”
The 23-year-old was reluctant to undergo surgery with the World Cup less than two months away, but after speaking to Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez and club doctor Ricardo Bruna on Monday morning, the player decided to have the operation.
By undergoing surgery, there is less possibility of relapse. However, recovery will take longer than if Araujo opted for conservative treatment.
Barcelona’s central defender defended his decision to undergo hip surgery at Statement posted on Twitter.
“After consulting with several doctors, we decided that surgery was the best option,” he wrote.
“I love my country and I love my national team. It is not about choosing one or the other, it is about being healthy and being 100% as soon as possible. On a personal level, these are difficult moments and I want to say thank you to everyone for all the support I receive.”
Among the matches that Araujo will miss is the league Classico against Real Madrid on October 16.
Araujo will undergo surgery on Wednesday in Turku, Finland, by the famous surgeon Dr. Lassi Lampinen, under the supervision of the club’s medical services, who previously operated on Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto.
Once the process is complete, Barcelona and Araujo will have a better understanding of their recovery time. However, he will likely be out for 10 to 12 weeks.
Uruguay kicks off their World Cup campaign on November 24th against South Korea.
