Glass-like Attributes on Display! Araujo’s Year-long Absence—Should Flick Place His Trust in Him?

Araujo suffered a right adductor tendon rupture during the Copa America, and the Uruguayan defender will undergo surgery, expected to be out for four months. Spanish media compiled 16 injuries Araujo has endured since joining Barcelona’s first team, suggesting that his injury-prone nature poses an immediate challenge for new coach Flick.

Despite his remarkable physical talent, Araujo is gradually becoming a fragile player. The severity of the injuries sustained by this Uruguayan has made him an unreliable asset for a demanding club like Barcelona, which requires its players to participate in numerous matches throughout the season, often leaving the coach unable to field him when it matters most.

The right adductor tendon rupture that currently necessitates surgical treatment is not the first such injury for Araujo. Before the previous World Cup qualifiers, he suffered a strain in the same area during a friendly match against Iran, requiring surgery. This kept him out of both the World Cup and 12 games for Barcelona, returning after 105 days. Both of the most severe injuries in Araujo’s career occurred while wearing the Uruguayan national team jersey.

At the club level, Araujo also had a string of minor injuries. His first injury came in his debut season with the senior team, during a Champions League match against Juventus. He strained his right adductor tendon, missing seven games and returning after 39 days.

In 2021, Araujo again injured his right adductor tendon during a match against Granada, although the situation was not serious. In the same year, in February, he sprained his left ankle twice, totaling 39 days in recovery. Since 2022, Araujo has been in a cycle of playing and then being sidelined, with injuries to his left adductor tendon and right knee joint, up until his latest injury at the Copa America. Araujo has often played while not fully recovered from his injuries.

Due to these injuries, Araujo missed 46 out of a total of 213 official matches over four seasons at Barcelona, an absence rate of 21%. Therefore, whether Flick should continue to rely on this “fragile” defender is a significant question as the new season approaches.