Barcelona captain could still play in Uruguay’s must-win clash against Spain despite manager’s reluctance

Barcelona captain could still play in Uruguay’s must-win clash against Spain despite manager’s reluctance Uruguay’s preparations for their decisive World Cup group-stage encounter against Spain have been dominated by uncertainty surrounding Ronald Araujo.  The Barcelona defender has spent recent days battling muscle discomfort, leaving his availability in serious doubt ahead of one of Uruguay’s biggest matches of the tournament. Following the draw against Cape Verde, Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa appeared to shut down any hopes of seeing the centre-back return in time.  Yet, the situation may not be as clear-cut as initially suggested, as according to SPORT , both Araujo and those overseeing his recovery remain optimistic that he could still make the squad for the crucial fixture. Bielsa’s pessimistic update on Barcelona defender Questions about Araujo’s fitness surfaced again after Uruguay dropped points against Cape Verde in a 2-2 draw. Araujo is optimistic about featuring against Spain. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) Speaking after the match, Bielsa left little room for interpretation when discussing the Barcelona defender’s condition. “Ronald Araujo has no chance of playing against Spain,” he said. Notably, the defender has struggled to train normally in recent days due to muscle discomfort, significantly affecting his preparation during a vital phase of the competition. As a result, Bielsa’s comments were interpreted as confirmation that Uruguay would have to face Spain without one of their most important players. A return remains possible Despite the coach’s comments, however, there appears to be a different feeling within the player’s camp. Araujo has not played at the World Cup so far. (Photo by Guillermo Legaria/Getty Images) The report indicates that Araujo has not ruled himself out and believes his recovery is progressing well enough to keep alive the possibility of featuring against Spain.  Medical assessments have offered similar encouragement, with the recovery schedule still leaving room for him to be available if the final stages proceed without setbacks. That possibility carries huge significance for Uruguay because defensive issues have repeatedly surfaced during the tournament, and the absence of a leader like Araujo has only increased concerns.  Hence, his presence would strengthen a backline that has looked vulnerable at times and provide much-needed experience for a match expected to be played at a very high intensity.