Barcelona have announced that centre-back Ronald Araujo has undergone a successful surgery on a thigh injury.
The Uruguay international represented his country during the September period of friendlies and was named in the starting lineup for last Friday's clash with Iran.
However, Araujo lasted just five minutes of the contest before having to be replaced with a thigh problem, and he immediately flew back to Barcelona for further assessment.
It was quickly determined that the 23-year-old would need to go under the knife in order to correct the problem, and he was flown to Finland for the procedure earlier this week.
On Wednesday morning, Barcelona confirmed that Araujo's operation went well, but the Blaugrana were unable to give a timeframe on his recovery.
© Reuters
"The first team player Ronald Araujo has been operated on successfully for his adductor longus avulsion injury in his right thigh," a statement on fcbarcelona.com read.
"The procedure was carried out by Dr. Lasse Lampainen under the supervision of the club's medical services in Turku, Finland. The player is unavailable for selection and his recovery will dictate his return."
Araujo has started all six of Barcelona's La Liga matches in the 2022-23 season, and he snubbed interest from the Premier League to sign a new contract at Camp Nou back in April.
The former Boston River starlet has become one of Xavi's most trusted defenders, but he is now at risk of missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as he recovers from surgery.
Araujo's injury is one of several problems to have cropped up for Barcelona - whose treatment room had been largely empty this season - during the international break.
© Reuters
Jules Kounde and Ousmane Dembele both suffered injuries with France, although the latter was able to make the bench for Les Bleus' recent 2-0 defeat to Denmark after shaking off a calf issue.
Kounde is yet to fully recover from his knock, though, while Netherlands duo Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay both had to leave the Oranje camp after sustaining hamstring injuries.
Earlier on Wednesday, Barcelona also revealed that right-back Hector Bellerin had picked up a calf injury during training on Tuesday, while Sergi Roberto has been absent from La Blaugrana's last two La Liga games due to a thigh problem.
Xavi is therefore set to be working with limited options for Saturday's clash with Mallorca, where a win would see Barcelona leapfrog Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table before the champions face Osasuna on Sunday.
Ben Knapton
