Recent reports on Ronald Araujo’s health were quite optimistic. As the review reports ASHowever, Barcelona fear that the Uruguay national team will try to force the defender’s premature return to action.

Campsite information Celestials indicate that Araujo is taking the next steps on the road to recovery and has even participated in some classes with the team. It is even said that the 23-year-old could be ready to play in the World Cup group stage. Barca are following this news with some concern. According AS the club fear that the national team and coach Diego Alonso will force Araujo’s return to action as soon as possible, even as ‘El Profe’ fitness trainer Ortega insisted there would be no risk taken. Apparently, that hasn’t eased Barcelona’s uncertainty, nor has the presence in Qatar of a club employee, Chech Pérez, who is overseeing the centre-back’s rehabilitation.

It’s possible that Araujo will already return to action for the second match of the group stage against Portugal, which will be crucial for Uruguay. According AS however, this would break the informal gentlemen’s agreement that the defender would be available from the knockout stage at the earliest. Early predictions after undergoing surgery in late September indicated that Araujo would need three months of rehabilitation. Returning on November 28 would shorten this period by almost a month. The Madrid daily reports that in the event of a breach of the agreement, Mateu Alemany will seek clarification from the Uruguayan federation.

AS however, he also adds that Araujo reassured the club that he would not return to action prematurely. We’ll see what happens during the competition, when the adrenaline kicks in and Uruguay start counting the points. Barcelona want to be very careful with the 23-year-old due to the high risk of re-injury, especially with the player’s injury history.

Update

19:25 According to Gerard Romero, when Araujo can return to action, he will do so with the approval of Barcelona’s medical services and the Uruguayan national team. Two physiotherapists Blaugranas supervises the recovery of the stopwatch. There are good feelings, but there is no rush.

21:35 Javi Miguel z AS persists. The journalist claims that Barcelona’s physiotherapists supervise and control but have no decision-making power. Permission to play Araujo will be issued by ‘El Profe’ Ortega and Uruguay’s doctor and coach. There will be consultations with the Blaugrana but they won’t have the final say on this.