Ronald Araujo returns to training with Barça and could return in the Super Cup

Published New:29/12/2025 - 18:57h

Updated New:29/12/2025 - 18:57h

The Barça squad returned to work this Monday with an open training session at the Johan Cruyff Stadium. Ronald Araujo was the main novelty, after almost a month on the sidelines for personal reasons

Ronald Araujo has returned to work with the rest of the FC Barcelona squad. The Uruguayan arrived at the Ciutat Esportiva on Monday afternoon after a special leave granted by the club to recover from a severe emotional slump. As planned, the team trained under the orders of Hansi Flick after a week-long Christmas break.

The '4' trained alongside his teammates at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, in an open-door training session that allowed fans to greet the squad before the start of 2026, when Barça will not play at home again until the last weekend of January, against Oviedo at the Spotify Camp Nou

Araujo Sets No Timetable for Barça Return, but Eyes Super Cup

In Araujo's case, the 26-year-old defender left the squad on December 1st to begin a mental recovery process, after his expulsion in the first half against Chelsea (3-0) in the Champions League, on November 25th in London.

Ronald traveled to Jerusalem and subsequently spent Christmas with his family in Uruguay. After almost a month without physical activity, Flick will not count on him for the match next Saturday against Espanyol (9:00 PM CEST) and, for now, both the coach and the player prefer not to set deadlines regarding his return to action.

However, if everything goes well in the coming days, the 'charrúa' should be included in the squad for the Spanish Super Cup. Whether the '4' plays any minutes in the semifinal against Athletic (January 7) or in a hypothetical final (01/12) will depend on the Uruguayan's physical condition and the intensity with which he manages to train in the coming days.

Before requesting a license from the club, Araujo played 15 games (886 minutes) with Barça, scoring a couple of goals, against Oviedo (1-3) and Girona (2-1). The 'charrúa' started 9 times, partnering Pau Cubarsí and Eric García in the center. For Barça, his return is a real winter reinforcement, especially after the injury absence of Andreas Christensen